Because I forgot to upload a chapter last week you guys get two today!
Luke was torn between happiness and sadness. On the one hand, he might actually get to work with his father one day, but on the other the whole reason his father had pushed to be reinstated for the time being was because his twin was taken by Maul. Would he ever see her alive again? He wasn't given much time to think about it, as Obi-Wan walked over to meet him where he had been waiting outside the Council chambers for him.
By his side was Naare, Mace Windu's old Padawan. While Luke felt bad for Naare that her Master was now dead, he couldn't say with all honesty that he would miss the older Jedi. He could tell that Mace never quite trusted him or his sister for that matter, just because their father was Anakin. "Luke, Naare will be joining us until she has passed her trials." Obi-Wan informed him.
Naare gave him a slight smile, for she knew how her Master always treated the Skywalker twins and Luke could tell she wasn't quite sure how Luke would react to this news. Luke smiled, hoping to put her at ease, as he replied "Glad to have you Naare. Naare thanked him before Obi-Wan said "We have a bit of a mini mission to do."
Luke and Naare looked at him, before they both asked "What is it?" Obi-Wan chuckled at their synchronization before saying "We have been selected to go pick up a Force sensitive child. His family just relocated to Coruscant and they aren't too far from here, in fact they are within walking distance. Let's go."
As the threesome walked towards the address they had been given, the two Padawans asked many questions, though Obi-Wan admitted he didn't know much. Upon reaching the location, Obi-Wan knocked. They didn't have long to wait before a tanned skin teenager opened the door. "Can I help you?" she asked. "Yes, we are from the Jedi Temple." Obi-Wan started, before she cut him off and asked softly "You're here for Rowan aren't you?"
"Yes, we are." Obi-Wan answered. The girl stepped back and motioned with her hand as she said "Please come in. I'm Kordi by the way." The room was cluttered with boxes and she rushed to clear off enough room for them to sit comfortably. "Zander, my older brother, just took him for a short walk, they should be back soon." She said as she took a seat herself.
After a moment of silence she said "You know, we wouldn't have agreed to this if we could care for him ourselves, but ever since our parents died, we just can't seem to make ends meet and watch Rowan." Naare gave her a sympathetic smile before responding, "We will take good care of him, I promise you." Kordi replied "We made this move so we could still be near him. We know he can't visit us, but it makes us feel better about all of this."
Luke wished that Obi-Wan would take Rowan on as his Padawan when it came time, for he was sure Obi-Wan would allow the visits, just as he and Ahsoka allowed Luke and Leia to visit their parents. His thoughts were interrupted as the one who must be Zander entered the dwelling from outside, followed by a young boy. Upon spying the three Jedi, Zander immediately sobered up, for he had been laughing at what Rowan had been saying before he entered.
Rowan, sensing his brother's distress, hid behind him, only an eye visible from time to time. Naare walked over, knelt and said "You must be Rowan. I'm Naare, and this is Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker. We're here to take you to the Jedi Temple, where you can learn to be a Jedi. "Noooo, I want to stay with Kordi and Zander." Rowan replied in a childish voice, tears filling his eyes at the thought of leaving his siblings.
Zander knelt too and took Rowan in his arms as he said "I know big guy, but this is for the best." Kordi also knelt next to her sibling, as Naare stood up and stepped back to allow them a bit of privacy as they said their goodbyes. "Now Rowan Freemaker, remember you promised that you would behave and listen to the Jedi. They will take good care of you, I promise." She said to her little brother. Rowan bit his lower lip and nodded, though the tears stayed in his eyes.
Luke's heart broke for the boy, he couldn't imagine being separate from his sister at that age. He could tell it bothered Naare as well, for she ducked her head to try to hide her own tears. Both older Freemaker siblings took a turn giving Rowan a hug and a kiss before Kordi picked him up and handed him to Naare. She, in turn, handed him to Obi-Wan, who preceded them out the door, leaving his Padwans to comfort the older siblings.
As they were getting ready to follow Obi-Wan, Luke heard Naare whisper, "I promise you that I will keep an eye on him and let you know how he is doing." Kordi was so overcome with tears that all she could do was nod and hug Naare as an expression of her thanks. After a shocked second, Naare returned the hug before following Luke out the door.
XXX
After dropping Rowan off in the care of Tera Sinube, the threesome were sent out to help Master Luminara and Padawan Mara Jade on Onderon. Since Naare didn't have access to her own ship, they hired Han to take them there. Once they were in hyperspace, Luke found a moment alone to tell Han what had happened to Leia. Shock crossed Han's face before he asked if there was anything he could do to help. Luke shook his head as he replied "Not yet, but I will let you know if there is."
XXX
As they landed on Onderon, Master Luminara, Mara Jade, and Lux Bonteri were waiting to meet them. "Good to see you again Master Kenobi." Lux greeted Obi-Wan. He also greeted Luke and was introduced to Naare before they got down to business. "Maul has made a move with his Dark Forces here after all." Luminara said. "Do you think its going to be a repeat of Alderaan?" Luke asked.
Luminara shook her head as she replied "No, my spies have confirmed that Maul is not in their camp, at least not at the moment. We should strike now, before that changes." "Will we be able to attack them in the daylight here? On Alderaan they were relentless in their attacks during the day." Obi-Wan asked. "While they have been somewhat the same here, they seem to be having difficulty keeping themselves organized." Mara responded, "It could be that they are new to this and Onderon is their trial run or…"
"It's a trap." Luke stated, finishing her train of thought for her. Mara nodded and said "Exactly." "Well, if it is a trap, we'll just have to spring it. We can't afford not to make a move against them if they are showing any weakness." Obi-Wan said, to which Luminara replied "Agreed. Senator Bonteri has volunteered to lead us to the best locations to spring our attacks personally." Obi-Wan looked at the younger man and asked "Are you sure Senator? As you well know this is dangerous work and you are one of the few people besides Saw Grerrera that your people look up to."
Lux nodded and replied "Yes Master Kenobi, I am sure. I know this area well, having fought in it myself before." Obi-Wan nodded and said "Very well, we are ready whenever you are Senator." "Then let's go now. The sooner we end this, the sooner my people will be safe." Lux motioned them to follow him as he spoke and, after getting the Clones attention, they followed him out of the town into the jungle.
XXX
Leia awoke in her cell, surprised at finally having been left alone long enough to get any rest. Ever since she had awoken and found herself kidnapped by Maul she had been relentlessly tortured for information. She had hoped that it was all a bad dream, even wishing she could see Mace coming to free her for that would mean he was alive and that this was all just a horrible nightmare. Hearing the sound of the door opening she turned to look at her newest attacker.
Seeing that it was Maul himself, she wished that the force inhibitor cuffs she was wearing would malfunction for just a second so she could make him pay for what he had done. She was surprised at the soft tone of his voice as he said "I can sense your anger little one. You really should learn to just give in to your anger. Not only is it freeing but the power that comes with it far outweighs any of the so called negatives that the Jedi talk about."
Before she could form a reply he continued "I suppose you believe that they will come for you. Why would they? You are just a Padawan. Not only have I killed a very powerful Master Jedi, but if they should fall too, I can take over the galaxy with ease. Why would they put the galaxy at risk for you? You may be the daughter of a great former Jedi, but there are thousands more who could easily take your place."
He chuckled to himself before he said "Of course, I kind of hope they do come for you, then I can easily dispatch him and have the galaxy to myself. The Sith will finally have their rightful place in the galaxy." "Shut up!" yelled Leia, tears forming in her eyes, "They will come for me." "No, I don't think they will. Well I'll leave you to your thoughts." With that, Maul exited her cell.
Hours passed and Leia almost wished someone would come and torture her, for Maul's negative words kept drifting through her mind.