Chapter 5 – The Jedi Council
Fortunately for Anakin and Padme, Luke's Colic didn't last for the whole three months predicted. By a few months both mom and dad were starting to get into a rhythm which included longer nights of sleep, which relieved them both.
"Eeek Aah" 5 month old Luke babbled as he watched Anakin prepare his breakfast.
Crash! Luke threw a toy rattle on the floor.
Anakin turned around and used the force to levitate the rattle back to his son. The baby watched this with wide eyes.
Padme walked into the room, carrying Leia and placed her in another child's swing beside Luke. She then went to kiss her husband. "Beru just commed. I've got to go out. Mr. Potter has agreed to talk to us."
"Are you sure you don't want breakfast first?" Anakin asked.
"No thanks, I've gotta rush." She grabbed a slice of toast and blew kisses to the twins before running out the door.
"Well, I guess it's just us then," said Anakin, as he slid his food onto a plate. Padme had been trying to get this Mr. Potter to agree to see them for about two weeks already. Mr. Potter was an old man who owned an old shop in Anchorhead, which padme said was perfect for their special project. He honestly didn't expect much when Padme first shared her intention to start a charity on Tatooine, but he did have to admit, it was a good idea. And anything his wife sets her mind to, he was learning fast, gets done.
Padme arrived home before noon, with a big smile on her face. "So did he make the deal?" Anakin almost didn't have to ask.
"Yes," she said. "What's more, he donated his whole stockroom full of supplies to the endeavor. Said he's got a boy who was killed on a run for Jabba last year, and he'd be proud be a part of his end. He just wanted to make sure we knew what we were doing first." Padme sighed and kissed a wiggly Luke. "I also heard from your mother. She wanted to make sure we were all coming for Harvest Day."
"Mm, Harvest Day."
"Why didn't you tell me about Harvest Day?"
"You know what, I must have forgotten. It's been so long since..."
"Your mom says it was one of your favorite holidays. She's sent me pictures." Padme pulled out her datapad and turned on a holo-image of Anakin around age four with his head stuffed in some cake. Anakin blushed. "Some of these are really cute."
When Anakin was young, as slaves, they could never afford to do much, but somehow his mother always saved up to do what she could. When he was eight he found out his mother was doing extra work for another master, besides their own, to earn a little extra. She was always willing to go the extra parsec for him, and up until recently, Anakin didn't understand why. Now he looked down at his daughter Leia and he understood perfectly. "You know, we should get them outfits. Dressing up kids is a part of the tradition."
"Yes, I'm told, but I'd be too scared to buy anything for them now. They're growing so fast, in a month it may be too small," Padme pointed out.
"We can wait a bit. But the longer we wait the fewer options there'll be," Anakin reminded her. "I've got to go do meditations."
"Alright. Just, while I may understand how you can get called away suddenly on Jedi business, remember that your mom is really looking forward to having us all there. That includes you too." Padme reminded him.
Anakin got to the mental-scape just as the meeting was about to start. Most of the remaining Jedi were gathered.
Yoda hovered above the ground to speak with them all. "Have been killed, all the counsel, it seems, except for Masters Obi-Wan Kenobi, Shaak Ti, Coleman Kcaj, Anakin Skywalker, and myself. Seven seats which need to be filled, this leaves.
Shaak Ti stands up and speaks next. "As you all know, I have taken into my tutelage Padawan Maris Brood after her former master's passing. I recommend she be granted knighthood. She has survived much in the time since our exile and as an excellent student she has surpassed my teaching. If Skywalker could become a Counsel member, in these times, I recommend her for the role. Youth needs a voice in these times as well as the old.
"Kirak Infil'a, he's already a master." another Jedi shouted.
Kirak stood up and pointed to another Jedi, "I recommend Rahm Kota, he was at least sensible enough not to use a clone army."
Yoda then spoke up again. "Hear all of your suggestions, we will. And meditate on this decision I will."
"Master Yoda, I will be asking Masters Plo Koon and Kolar if they have any suggestions as well," offered Kazdan Paratus.
Yoda knew Kazdan was a bit off the rocker after their exile began, so he merely nodded then spoke again. "Speak with the existing counsel, I must. Take all of your recommendations into account, we will."
Then the other Jedi began to disappear from the relm. Anakin remembered how Kazdan had appeared in the mental-scape and told the story of how he had run away from the temple with several, now assumed to be deceased Jedi masters from the council. He insisted they were alive with him and actually fooled several Jedi, including Anakin and Yoda for a while. They did not sense any dishonesty from him and still don't. Whenever they'd ask him about the masters, he'd insist they had already meditated, or that they would be doing so later, but after a while when no one else saw them here, the truth became apparent. Kazdan had run from the temple in his fear, then came up with the story about having to leave with the masters to appease his guilt afterwards. Yoda was extremely tolerant of him though, saying that in his nine hundred years, he hadn't seen this level of trauma, and grace must be given. Kazdan still claimed to be with them, and he could even be seen talking to them at times. Most Jedi paid him no heed by five months in.
When the other Jedi were gone, Anakin cleared his throat and stepped into the circle of masters. "I know I was only ever on the council because of Chancellor Palpatine. In fact I'm surprised you haven't kicked me off already."
"Great service you are, young one," replied Yoda.
"Anakin, if you haven't noticed, we're a touch short. Better to fill seven seats than eight." Obi-Wan pointed out.
"Sit down, Anakin." said Shaak Ti, the Togrutan Jedi Master.
"I'd like to add my own recommendation to the council," Obi Wan began. "Tel-Mac Linnon has been of great service to the other Jedi. Helping them find a place to shelter. I recommend him for a seat. Even though he's not a Master yet, as Shaak Ti points out, that is no longer a requirement."
"Added to the list, he is," said Yoda.
Following this the Jedi went to the excruciating task of going over every detail of these Jedi Knight's careers that could be remembered by those present. Yoda had a Lo-ooo-ng memory. They put together a list of questions to ask each member and decided to begin interviews the following day.
By the time he finished it was very late. Padme had just put the Twins to bed. He met her in their room and kissed her.
"You were gone long. I was worried," she said.
"I managed to stay out of missions this time." Anakin said with a chuckle. "It was mostly boring council work. We're trying to select more members."
"Mmm, Boring council work. I know that well. Are you coming to bed?"
"I'm gonna shower first, then eat something. I'm famished." Anakin didn't notice his wife's look of disappointment.
The next day Anakin began his meditations early in the morning, and as they had agreed to, the rest of the council did so as well. Maris Brood was the first to be interviewed. She appeared beside her Master. Shaak Ti seemed to be brimming with pride as she stepped away into the circle of masters.
"Tell us Maris, what do you think the next steps of the Jedi Order should be?" Obi-Wan started the questioning.
"We need to stand together to fight Sidious." Maris lifted her head, her vestigial horns, still small, indicated her youth.
"And what if, kill us all, he does?" Yoda asked, more dismissive than understanding in his tone.
Maris stared at the green Jedi for a while, growing more and more emotional as she did so. "Better to die taking him out than to wait in exile for him to kill us all one by one."
"And what hope would the galaxy have, if fail we do? Hmm-mm?" Yoda asked again.
Maris didn't answer. The Jedi council put their heads together and whispered to themselves.
"Too much anger and fear, she has. Not ready, I fear," whispered Yoda.
"Maybe she's not the only one with that fault," Shaak Ti pointed out. "At least she wants to do something about her fear."
"Perhaps we could use more than one perspective on the council," Obi Wan attempted to negotiate.
"Come on, Yoda. You did say that we needed to be graceful to our fellow Jedi. 'Seen Trauma like this in my 900 years I have not.'" Anakin quoted in his best Yoda impression.
The master was not amused. But still he nodded his assent when it seemed he was at a loss.
Shaak Ti said in a booming voice, "You're on the council!"
Rahm Kota was interviewed next. "If every Jedi were as well trained as I am, we'd probably stand a chance, but the way things are, we have more younglings than masters. Many Jedi are not gifted in battle or combat. If we went to battle now, I'd say we'd be slaughtered. No, we should set up a camp to train to fight. I'd volunteer to teach it."
When the Jedi council gathered to discuss his appointment, Maris Brood spoke first. "I don't like his ego. Some younglings can kick your butt, master Kota."
"While with his caution I agree, thinks too much of himself I do not contest." With no party speaking up in his favor, Rahm Kota was not appointed to the council.
Kirak Infil'a answered next. "Yes, we do need to be planning on confronting the Sith, but to go in without a proper plan would be foolish. I'd need to meditate on this to answer more clearly."
Yoda did not protest Kirak's appointment, and neither did Maris or any of the others. It seemed to surprise him when they announced his appointment without needing him to clarify his plans further.
The last to be interviewed was Tel-Mac Linnon. "W-We wouldn't just be fighting the Sith. He has the support of a whole Empire. You know how many resources and plans for disasters they had in the republic. All that to defend one man would make him almost indestructible. No, I don't know how we could win, but nothing lasts forever. If we focus on survival we might be able to outlast his empire."
Then the Jedi gathered to discuss his appointment. "A clear voice to the council he will provide. Very logical his output is," Yoda said.
"Figures you'd say that," Maris sneered.
"A-Actually If I may," Tel-Mac interrupted the hushed discussion. "To better answer your question, I think that we should try to re-center ourselves. Establish another Temple and continue to train the younglings. P-perhaps, since our lifestyle now necessitates it, we should put more focus into training combat skills. So we all have a greater chance at survival." Tel-Mac nervously eyed the council.
"Very well, I agree. He does have some potential," Maris whispered to Yoda.
"Welcome to the council." Anakin smiled to their newest recruit.
By the time the twins were six months old, the Jedi council had filled three of its seven remaining seats. The last four were still being debated on.
"Tomorrow discuss this more, we will." said Yoda.
Anakin made a face. "Ooh, uh… Tomorrow, I probably won't make it."
"All you have to do is meditate, Anakin." Obi Wan was confused.
"My safe-house. It won't exactly be safe if I go into another day long meditation tomorrow. I really have to do, some things..." Anakin really didn't have this part planned.
Alright, in two days, meet we will," Yoda conceded.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan approached him after. "You never did say, where have you been staying?"
"Ooh, here and there. Where have you been staying?" Anakin responded.
"Uh… It isn't important. Look if you need somewhere more permanent I can talk to Tel-Mac and see if he knows of another place."
If Anakin weren't so nervous he would've noticed the look of anxiety pass Obi-Wan's face when Anakin asked Obi-Wan about his residence. But he didn't notice. "Oh, no. That isn't necessary. As long as I can get out of meetings and attend this thing tomorrow, I'll live."
"Attend, like a community event?" Obi-Wan questioned.
"You could say that, yeah."
"Alright, well, have fun."
"Thanks."
Hello Everyone,
For the above chapter I got the information on the Jedi mentioned from Wookieepedia. Everyone except Tel-Mac, he's my OC. I tried to keep things consistent with what's there, but apologize if I made any mistakes. The only real break from canon is with Maris Brood. I am trying to keep her characteristics consistent, but supposing they were not alone in exile for as long as they were. And yes, Kazdan did go crazy after order 66 according to wookieepedia.
I do have plans for this. [Evil Laugh] Lots of plans. Though you may have to wait a while before you find out them all. Especially what Obi-Wan is up to.
