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Obi Wan was sat in the mess hall reading the report Kix and the medical droid had written up on the unknown soldier. They had found him unconscious in the lower decks of the ship after picking up some strange anomalies, before leaving yet another liberated system from the Separatists' clutches.
"So, have you found anything interesting yet Master?" He heard Anakin say sitting on the opposite side of the table to him.
"You could say that. According to Kix our 'friend' isn't the same species of human as we are. In fact there isn't any record of his kind in the database" Kenobi picked out from the long listed report.
"Really, we've found a new species?. He doesn't look that all different to us" Anakin shrugged as he started eating from his food tray.
"His appearance is near enough identical to ours, the only thing that's different so far is bodily requirements. There are some that Kix and the medical droids were having trouble identifying but there was one in particular they found that he requires. Potassium" The older Jedi added from the list of intriguing information.
"Potassium is extremely rare. How can any species survive on such an element that is difficult at best to find anywhere in the galaxy?"
"Kix also found a few recently healed wounds from likely shrapnel damage on his right arm and chest, plus scarring on his lower back. So I would imagine that our guest has been in combat before somewhere" The Jedi Master continued to pick out from the medic's report.
"Well it would explain how he quickly took out the guards outside the medical room and manage to hold off against our troopers for so long" The Jedi Knight reasoned keeping his eyes down on the tray of rations.
"Oh, now this is interesting" Anakin looked up to see his old friend's eyes widened.
"What, what is it?" He asked away, seeing the look of disturbance in his mentor's eyes.
"It says that he does not have a single midichlorian in his body" The information shocked both Jedi, enough for Skywalker to stop eating.
"Let me see that" He took the datapad off him to see for himself "How is that possible, we were taught every living thing had midichlorians. It was one of the key ingredients that gives us life"
"I suppose is just one of those mysterious the universe likes to throw at us without giving any help to figure it out." The Jedi Master shrugged, himself digesting the report. They weren't able to discuss anymore when Anakin's comlink went off.
"Skywalker here"
"Master he's waking up, do you want to begin interrogating him?" Ahsoka's voice came over the comlink
"Give him minute to get his bearings Ahsoka, we're on our way" He replied to her whilst getting up from the table. Obi Wan stood up too and joined him as they made their way down to holding cells.
"You think you could let me do the talking this time round Master?" Anakin smirked fully well knowing what the answer will be.
"And let a first contact situation turn into another war?. I think it's best if you left the questioning to better trained negotiators" His friend replied in jest, feeling the lift stop and doors open to find out more on this new race of human.
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Bloody hell my head's stinging, Was all Jake could focus on after waking up in different room which he guessed to be a prison cell, judging by the the bland dark walls and instead of a door there was a futuristic looking red force field in it's place. His head felt as if a mallet was striking into his brain and the bright lights in the room were not helping in soothing it down. Sitting up from the hard flat 'bed', was the best way he could put it, Jake looked out the force field door to find more of those white armoured guards standing outside.
Bet they're not the happiest bunch out there, He thought, likely still pissed over his attempt to escape and shooting away at them with their odd guns. Where and why he was here remained unclear to him. The best guess the marine could make out was that he was in some kind of secret base God knows where, with Aussie/Kiwi accented armoured guards with futuristic weaponry walking about outside.
Sounds like I'm in some sci fi action film, Jake mused whilst inspecting his cuffed wrists. There was movement and chatter outside the cell as the guards stood to attention, followed by the force field disappearing and two people entered the cell then it flickered back up again.
The first one looked older than the other and was dressed in robe style clothing with pieces of armour on his forearms and shins, along with a cylinder shaped object clipped to his waist. The other man was taller and had darker coloured robes to the his counterpart, not looking that much older than himself who too had a cylinder shaped object attached to his waist.
"Good to see your awake and well. We've obviously got off on the wrong foot and would like to start again without the need to shoot up our ship" The bearded man said in dry humour, whilst Jake kept in his surprise of being onboard a ship rather than some top secret base.
"I'm Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi and this is Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, we are of the Jedi Order and representatives of the Galactic Republic. We very much like to know where you come from and how you came aboard" Jake first instinct was to laugh at the cheesy names the one called Obi Wan gave him but suppressed the urge and kept a straight face. He had no idea what a 'Jedi' was or heard of a place called the 'Galactic Republic' before.
This is going to be interesting, He silently thought to himself.
"We do not wish you any harm. We found you unconscious on the lower decks after our systems picked up strange energy readings. Can you explain this?" Obi Wan asked him again but in truth Jake couldn't answer because he didn't know himself. When he didn't answer the question, they glanced at one another then turned back to him.
"Do you understand us?" He asked the Royal Marine Corporal, however caution was telling Jake not to say another yet before he knew more about their intentions.
"Of course he does Master, the troopers guarding him said they heard him talking Basic" The other guy spoke for the first time, the one called Anakin as he folded his arms and tried to appear intimidating.
"Basic?" Jake inadvertently wondered aloud, cursing himself for doing so afterwards.
"Yes Basic, you know the language you're speaking right now"
"Is that what they call English now?" He asked the pair with a frown.
"Is that what your language is called?" The Obi Wan bloke quizzed back, cutting this Skywalker guy from saying anything else.
"Yeah and you guys are speaking English too, are you not? " He replied confused by the question.
"What is your name?, we know you are military of some kind. We went through the equipment we confiscated off you, though much of it we've never seen before"
"Not to mention primitive" The Anakin guy mumbled, receiving glares from himself and Obi Wan. He could of made up a lie right there but with no believable one forming in his head and knowing that they wouldn't believe him either, he through them a bone.
"I'm Corporal Jake Matthews of 42 Commando Royal Marines. How I got here is anybody's guess"
"Alright Corporal Matthews, so your saying that you have no clue as to why or how you transported here" The older man said. Jake nodded to confirm his story, although he could see in the other man's eyes he didn't believe him. "Where are you from Corporal?" He changed the subject but Jake didn't answer, choosing to remain silent over the question.
"It's a simple enough question Corporal, we can order you to do so" The taller guy said obviously trying to pull rank over him, causing the other one to scowl at him again.
"With all due respects sirs, I don't recognise your authority so I will not be following any instructions you give me" Jake countered earning a pissed off look off the guy and another retort that was cut short.
"Anakin if I could speak to you outside for a moment" He heard the Obi Wan character speak to his counterpart, leaving him alone in his cell when the stepped out.
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"What do you think you are playing at?" Obi Wan said in an even tone, holding in his irritation over Anakin's behaviour.
"Master he's hiding something. He isn't telling us the whole truth" Anakin explained huffing in annoyance.
"That doesn't excuse what you were doing in there. You should really start to learn patience better. How are we supposed to help him if you keep treating him with suspicion and give off a bad impression on who we are?" Obi Wan pointed out to the impatient Knight
"I'm sorry Master, I just don't like being lied to" He apologised to his old friend and mentor. Giving the young Jedi Knight a sympathetic smile he spoke again in a less authoritative tone.
"Come on, let us start again without the hostilities" With that Anakin nodded and followed him into the cell again.
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The two strangers returned to Jake cell, the Anakin guy appearing to be more calm after whatever the other Jedi said to him and no doubt proceed with further questioning.
"Sorry about that. As we were saying if you tell us where your homeworld is, we can take you back and talk with your people." Obi Wan repeated to him once again.
"I could but why would I?, why should I trust you?" Jake remained defiant
"What do you mean?" Obi Wan folded his arms and waited for an explanation.
"Well lets say I believe you and that you are some sort of galaxy wide nation capable of flying starships from all over the stars, what's to say your lying and intend to invade my world" He questioned the two, who exchanged a disbelieving glances with one another.
"Hey we are not Separatists, we don't around conquering and enslaving other worlds. The Republic and the Jedi bring peace and order to the chaos they've been spreading across the galaxy" Anakin's outburst made the other guy pinch his nose in disbelief and gave more support for the Corporal to argue his case.
"So you lot are at war?. Well in that case I'm going to keep my world's location secret. Last thing we need is a galactic war at our doorstep" He said to them leaning back against the wall "And what proof is there anything you've said is true. For all I know, you could be the bad guys and these Separatists have good reason to break away from you" Jake finished leaving the Jedi to ponder over his response.
"Your concerns are understandable Corporal Matthews. If I were in your place I probably be the same. However, if we were Separatists then we wouldn't be having this conversation in a civilised manner. They broke away from our government and are lead by an unpleasant being, a sith lord, who would have had you tortured until you gave away your homeworld location and bring his droid armies to conquer it" Anakin explained, for the first time he did appear hostile toward him and earning an approving glance from the older guy.
"I like to see them try" He scoffed confidently. Arrogance was not a trait Jake liked and he hadn't meant to sound like it either, but to think that somebody would just come to Earth and expect an easy take over was either mad, stupid or both. As much as he wanted to sit here and remain stubborn to the people standing in front of him, a voice in his head was telling him they could be trusted and his gut instinct was agreeing with it too but his Royal Marine training on the other hand was telling him to keep further info to himself.
"I can see you are conflicted trooper, I admire your loyalty to your homeworld and willingness to keep it's location safe from harm. But look at it from our point of view. Not only can we help you find a way home, it gives us a chance to meet a new civilisation and open diplomatic channels with your people." Obi Wan explained his case "The Republic is rich in diversity and are always welcome to new cultures. I'm quite sure your world would get a warm welcome from our government, we could do with some good news from all that is happening right now"
His words got Jake thinking. Would Earth and it's inhabitants really get such a warm welcome to this galactic community?. Would they be ready, or do they want diplomatic relations with government which is locked in a civil war. Then again this could be a ploy for them to try and find Earth and attempt to invade them
"What guarantee do I have?"
"On as our word as Jedi, we promise we only have good intentions and would never force our will on to others." He still had no clue what a Jedi was but in both their eyes and posture it must of been something they took very seriously. His mind was still conflicted over his decision but gave it, knowing his people's future would ride on his answer.
"Earth"
"Is that the name of your planet?"
"Yes" A huge part of him was regretting it and could hear Sergeant Campbell's voice roaring in his ear.
"I've never heard of a world with that name before"
"I doubt anyone has. After all Corporal Matthews here is of a different species so I'd imagine his people's origin would be just as unknown" This perked Jake's ears up at hearing that remark, causing him to frown at the confused statement.
"Wait new species?, aren't you guys human?"
"We're human but we appear to be of a completely different line to you, making this even more fascinating. If only we didn't have this tedious war right now otherwise if we do find your world, I have a feeling your people's culture and history would be an interesting study." The oldest of the two grinned down at him.
That was Jake's real concern there. Hopefully if they do have the chance to find it, this war of theirs would be over by then. There was an beeping noise emitting from the Jedi's wrists and the Obi Wan guy pressed his first.
"Yes?"
"General, the Chancellor and Jedi Council wish to speak to you" A voice came over the device
"Very well Admiral, thank you for the update" With that he tapped the device again and looked over at Jake "Since we're friends now you won't be needing those" He pointed to Jake's cuffs that unlocked by themselves "And one of our troopers will escort you to a spare bunk momentarily. We must return to bridge" He indicated to his partner
Jake stood up straight and rubbed his wrists as they left, glad to be free of the metal constraints. His thoughts were dominated by whether or not he did the right thing of telling them of Earth but neither of them knew or heard of it, so there was that small hope that it would remain safe.
Well that's seven billion lives that I could of of put in danger. Either way, life won't be the same, He thought wandering around in the cell.
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Up on their way to the bridge, both Jedi were discussing the conversation that had minutes ago with the new guest.
"Do you think what he told us was true Master?. He gave us his name and the name of his homeworld but he didn't tell us where it is" Anakin said maintaining his cautious view of the person in the holding cells
"He doesn't fully trust us yet, I would be the same if I were in his position. When we reach Coruscant and show him what the Republic represents he might tell us a bit more" Obi Wan said as the turbolift opened up on to the bridge. Strolling in, the holotable in centre of the bridge had the blue three dimensional forms of Chancellor Palpatine, Jedi Master Mace Windu and Grand Master Yoda waiting for the them.
"An interesting report you have sent us Master Jedi. Has this mysterious occupant been detained?" The Chancellor asked, his holographic form fluttering just like the others.
"We are taking care of him Chancellor. He is currently under guard and being treated well" Obi Wan nodded to the leader of the Galactic Republic and commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic.
"Did you find out how he got on to the ship Master Kenobi?" Mace spoke in his usual to the point gruff tone.
"No, he says he doesn't know himself but we believe he is holding that information to himself for now"
"A name this mysterious stranger has, hmm?" Yoda added in his own question.
"He says is name is Jake Matthews, he's a Corporal in some military unit called the 42 Commando Royal Marines. He seems to be pretty well trained from whatever military he's from"
"I suggest you keep a close eye on him. Did he mention where he was from?" The Korun Jedi questioned them further for intel.
"It wasn't easy. When we mention the war he became more resistant to the questioning, his worry was if we found it while we're still fighting we'd make his homeworld a target. Corporal Matthews called it Earth" Anakin answered the wary Jedi who always had a permanent scowl on his face.
"Earth?, I've never heard of such a place. Did he say anything of it's location?" Palpatine asked turning his attention back to Skywalker
"No I'm afraid not, I doubt he will until he trusts us a little better"
"Understandable, this is. To protect his home is every soldier's duty, it is" Yoda reflected on the marine's defiant and stubborn attitude.
"There is something else. Is it true that this person does not possess any midichlorians?" Windu asked, visibly disturbed by this news.
"Yes Master Windu, our medic and medical droids studied the tissue and blood samples they took while he was unconscious and it showed he had none" Obi Wan relayed the information he was given earlier. The idea that there was life capable of existing without the force was a shocking revelation that would shake the Jedi to the core of their beliefs
"Bring him to the temple, you must. Study him better and show we can be trusted, we will" The ancient Jedi master ordered to them.
"Yes Master Yoda, we'll be arriving in less than four hours" With that, the Jedi within the Resolute bowed to the holographics figures then cut the transmission. They went about their usual duties, both looking forward to returning home from another battle, for different reasons, and a new experience. Unaware of the change that'll will occur in future.