Chapter 8
Kastor could feel the unbalance in the Force as he landed the Ebon Hawk in the main hanger in Theed and took off running towards where he could sense Obi-Wan. He navigated through the Theed Power Plant finally reaching the melting pit at the center.
Obi-Wan was kneeling by his fallen Master, a lost look on his face as he glanced up at Kastor looking grief-stricken and also ashamed. Kastor could now feel that Qui-Gon had already become one with the Force, and he mourned the loss of his friend, but he knew his grief was nothing compared to the young man before him.
"I failed him, Master," Obi-Wan said brokenly. "You warned us to not get separated, but I failed, and then I let my anger get the best of me."
"Obi-Wan, it's not your fault," Kastor said softly, approaching the young man, who was now trying to wipe his tears away and shut his feelings away. "Let it out," he told him, putting his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder in a hopefully comforting manner, knowing he needed to properly release his feelings, not shut them away.
Obi-Wan tried to fight it, but finally he let out a strangled, pained gasp and broke down, hugging Kastor. Kastor ignored the pain in his shoulder from the blaster wound, and did his best to comfort the grieving young man.
Kastor could feel it, as he comforted the young Jedi. Obi-Wan had defeated the dark warrior, but the Force was telling him that they had lost the fight. Kastor looked into the Force, towards the visions of the future, and he was disheartened to see that the one perfect future was gone. Much of the darkness could still be prevented, but not everything, not anymore.
Kastor had made the first wrong choice in trying to secure a better future. He'd been too focused on Obi-Wan and Siri, knowing they were important for the future, but he hadn't put enough consideration that someone else was who could have prevented the destruction. He only hoped it was the last mistake he made, and he vowed to do better.
**The Will of the Force**
Padme was waiting in the courtyard for the cruiser to land. It was bringing the new Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic and members of the Jedi Council in order to take control of Nute Gunray and Rune Haako, and be present for the funerals and celebration that were to take place. With her were the Governors of the various Naboo cities, Captain Panaka and her handmaidens, the Gungan High Council, Obi-Wan, Annie, Kastor, and a few of the noted heroes of the resistance network, which included several pilots from Bravo Flight: Ric Olie, Gavyn Sykes, and Rhys Dallows, the pilot that helped bring Kastor Shan to Naboo.
It seemed like a lifetime had passed, yet it had only been a day since they'd reclaimed their planet from the Trade Federation. There had been so much to do, in so little time, when so many were mourning the loss of loved ones.
Padme had felt the loss of Qui-Gon Jinn much harder than she would have believed possible with how little time she'd known the man. She hadn't always agreed with his decisions, but every decision he'd made since she'd met him had been for the betterment of her people, and had turned out for the better for them, and he'd been a steady source of advice and experience that she'd sorely needed during this ordeal.
Despite how hard she had taken his loss, she knew her grief was nothing compared to that of Obi-Wan. She hadn't spent much time with the younger Jedi during this whole crisis, something she'd regretted, now having gotten to know him better in the last day. She'd mainly known him as the younger man with Qui-Gon, who occasionally offered up some very helpful insight, or delivered some very dry wit to help relieve tension, but her opinion within the last day had vastly changed.
Despite his grief that he seemed to be somehow reigning in, he had been stalwart in his efforts to help her people in any way he could, whether that was helping to liberate her people from processing camps, distributing medical supplies and food to those within the city, or helping to tend the injured. When he wasn't helping her people, he was caring for Annie, or checking on her to see how she was doing or how he could be of further assistance, offering advice just like Qui-Gon had.
Frankly, she didn't know how he was doing it. His inner strength astounded her. He never seemed to have a moment to himself, and if he did, it must have been in private in the evenings, though she did notice the other Jedi, Master Kastor Shan, was never too far from Obi-Wan, and always seemed to offer support in some way when he perceived it was needed, even if Padme hadn't seen much of a change in the younger Jedi.
Kastor Shan was another person she was coming to regard highly, and always enjoyed any small amount of time that she was able to speak with him. He too had been going to great leaps, despite the loss of his friend and his own injury in the battle, to help her people in any way possible, and perhaps because of his age and experience, he was most adept at offering advice or listening to issues whether from people he was helping as she observed or she herself. She could see Obi-Wan respected the man greatly, perhaps even almost as much as he had respected Qui-Gon though she could see the bond between them was different than it had been between the other two. Certainly not as close, though it made sense. From what little she knew, it seemed that the Masters often filled the parental role for their Padawans, and even if that wasn't exact, it still seemed like a decent comparison.
She was quite grateful to the Jedi. The Naboo people could never repay the debt for what the Jedi had done for them, nor could she have asked for better confidants or friends than she'd gotten from Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and now Kastor. They truly were extraordinary beings, and she hoped that someday she'd be able to help them as they had helped her.
"Now, Viceroy, you are going to have to go back to the Senate and explain all of this," Padme said to him as the republic cruiser landed.
"I think you can kiss your trade franchise goodbye," Captain Panaka added with considerable satisfaction.
First off the ship came Chancellor Palpatine, followed by several Republic guards and a number of beings in Jedi robes. Obi-Wan and Kastor stopped to talk to them.
Padme moved forward to greet Palpatine.
"Congratulations on your election, Chancellor," she said warmly. "It is so good to see you again."
"It is good to be home," Palpainte replied," but it is you who should be congratulated. Your boldness saved our people."
'If only so many hadn't had to die,' she thought sadly.
"Tomorrow, we will celebrate our victory," she told the Chancellor. "Tonight . . . tonight we will grieve for those who are no longer here to celebrate."
"As is only right," he responded gravely before his attention turned to her right and she realized that Obi-Wan, Kastor, and Annie were next to her, just having directed the Jedi Council to the Throne Room that she was giving them for their session.
"Ah, and these are three of the heroes that helped save our planet," he said with a beaming smile. "Young Skywalker, I am truly amazed at your accomplishments. I will look into your career with great interest."
Annie smiled politely, though she could see he appreciated the words greatly and was just a bit nervous.
"Padawan Kenobi. I'm truly sorry for your loss," Palpatine said in a mournful tone. "Master Jinn was a great man, and he will be missed. I am truly thankful for everything you did for my planet and for defeating whomever that warrior was that struck down Master Jinn. Anyone can see that you are going to be Jedi of great renown," Palpatine finished grandly.
"Thank you, Chancellor," Obi-Wan said respectfully. "I just did my duty."
"I always forget how humble you Jedi can be," Palpatine chuckled commiseratingly before he turned to Kastor.
"I don't believe we've been introduced," Palpatine said, extending his hand. "I just have heard of your recent exploits here, Master . . .?"
"Kastor Shan, Chancellor," Kastor said, shaking his hand and giving a respectful bow of his head.
"Shan . . ." Palpatine said musingly. "Isn't that a very famous last name for the Jedi? I didn't realize there were any Shans still alive."
"I'm the last," Kastor replied, his face betraying nothing, though she thought she heard a bit of sorrow in his voice. Padme thought Palpatine's question had lacked the proper decorum though she also had to admit she was surprised that he knew that type of Jedi history, so maybe it wasn't inappropriate She certainly didn't know, and felt a bit off about it.
"Well, I'm just glad you can continue to add to the great history of your family and the Jedi Order," Palpatine said with a smile, and then after a respectful bow, the Chancellor moved on.
Deciding that one way to suitably honor the Jedi was to learn more about them and their history, she approached Kastor.
"I'm realizing that perhaps my knowledge of the Order and some of the various families that have given their children to the Jedi over its vast history is something I'm rather lacking, Master Jedi," she said with a frown. "Perhaps, while you are here, you could help teach me a bit more about your Order?"
Kastor smiled kindly and chuckled slightly. "I would be honored, your highness, but do not feel bad. I'm rather surprised that the Chancellor knows anything about the history of the Order, but I'm extremely surprised that he knows anything about my family name."
"He made it sound like your family has produced some incredible Jedi Knights of great renown?" she queried, a bit confused.
"Oh, they have," Kastor said musingly. "But that was between three and four thousand years ago, and my family died out about two thousand years ago."
Padme blinked in surprise and confusion and then the Jedi Master leaned in.
"I was born nearly 3650 years ago," he said to her complete bewilderment. "I was frozen in the Force and in time and lost during a mission in Sith space during the Galactic War sometimes also known as the Second Galactic war about 3600 years ago, and was only recovered and awoken in this modern age a few years ago. My family produced some very famous and notable Jedi in the Old Republic, but my family line, as I have since learned, was wiped out in the New Sith Wars throughout various campaigns or misfortunes off the battlefield, nearly two thousand years ago," Kastor finished with a hint of sadness in his voice.
Padme stared in confusion for a short minute, processing the frankly incredible tale, wondering if Jedi dealt with that sort of thing all the time before she finally remembered her station and gently grabbed the Jedi Master's hand and squeezed it in support.
"Thank you for trusting me with your history. I am sorry for the loss you must have suffered when you were frozen to find yourself in such a different time," she said. "I'm sure it was hard to lose all of your friends and family . . oh I forget, the Jedi can't have families," she said with a wince at her blunder.
Kastor sighed. "Truthfully, that rule has only been around for about a thousand years," he said, to Padme's surprise. "Most of my friends had already fallen in the war, but among the living were my sister, who went on to be one of those notable Jedi I mentioned," he said with a proud smile, "and . . . and my wife, another notable Jedi. I do miss them, but I will see them again in the Force . . . someday. Worry not about bringing this up, since it is in the past, and since being awoken, I have found a much more peaceful galaxy, and have made many new friends in the modern Order," he finished with a kind smile.
She was starting to realize how little she knew about the Jedi Order and its long and storied history, and was determined to correct that, especially since it would help her feel closer to the Order that had helped her planet and to the three Jedi, and one future Jedi that she knew or had known.
"I'm sorry for your loss," she said again, again marveling at the strength of a Jedi. She really wasn't sure how she would handle waking up to find the galaxy changed and all of her friends and family long since deceased. "Thank you again for telling me some of your history, and I hope that perhaps we can talk again and you can help me learn more about the Order."
"Of course, Your Highness, and no need for formalities with me," he said with a respectful bow of his head. "I've never held much stock in them when they can be avoided. Now, I believe I have a scolding to receive from the Council," he said with a mischievous grin.
"Oh, perhaps I should talk to the Council," she said, a bit worried. "I don't want you getting into trouble because of your aid to my planet."
"Don't you worry, Your Highness," he said with a smile which she returned. "They won't truly punish me all that much since the Jedi generally wish nothing more than to help more than we can, and if I wasn't on the bad side of the Council . . . well I wouldn't feel normal," he finished and bowed his head before walking off after the rest of the Jedi.
'What an incredible and yet very odd man,' she thought wryly, with a touch of humor. The Jedi really were incredible beings. Perhaps, after her tenure as Queen, she could find some way to continue her duty to the planet while also working with the Jedi Order. It was something to think about.
**The Will of the Force**
Obi-Wan spoke with Yoda and the rest of the Council, telling all about his confrontation with the Sith Lord, and then afterwards, he was dismissed so that Kastor could explain his actions in the battle of Naboo. Before he left however, he made his request that after he had passed the trials, he would take Anakin on as his Padawan. He would honor his Master's dying wish.
The Council heard his words, and then dismissed him to deal with Kastor and make a decision on his request.
Quite a bit later in the day, he was summoned back to the council, but was surprised to only find Kastor and Yoda waiting for him. Another surprise was that Kastor was waiting patiently while Yoda was pacing back and forth.
Obi-Wan waited patiently until Yoda finally stopped and looked at him.
"Confer on you the level of Jedi Knight, the Council does," he said before he frowned, "but agree with taking this boy as your Padawan learner, I do not."
"Qui-Gon believed in the boy," Obi-Wan said steadily. "I believe in Qui-Gon."
Yoda resumed his pacing. "The chosen one, the boy may be. Nevertheless, grave danger I fear, in his training."
A shiver ran down Obi-Wan's spine, but he spoke firmly. "Master Yoda, I gave Qui-Gon my word. I will train Anakin. Without the approval of the Council if I must."
Obi-Wan saw Kastor smile, and he felt a great sense of amusement from the ancient Jedi.
"Qui-Gon's defiance I sense in you, and using the words of another defiant Master in this room, you are," Yoda said with a sigh. "Need to do that, you do not. Agree with you, the Council does. Your Padawan, Skywalker will be."
Obi-Wan nodded, a sense of accomplishment rising up even if it was colored by worry about his abilities to be the teacher and mentor that Anakin needed.
Yoda hobbled out of the Throne Room, leaving Obi-Wan with Kastor.
"A bittersweet moment, isn't it?" Kastor asked, understanding in his voice.
Obi-Wan nodded slowly. "I wish he was here both for my knighting, but also for Anakin. I will train him to the best of my ability, but Qui-Gon was supposed to be his teacher. I could feel it in the Force."
"Perhaps in another universe, he is," Kastor said simply. "In this one, the only one that matters, you are supposed to be his Master. I know that because you are still here. You found the balance and strength you needed in the Force to defeat the Sith, and I'm sure you will find what you need to help Anakin. One key difference is that with Anakin, you can ask for help . . . well most of the time," Kastor finished with a wry grin. "Teaching a Padawan is a big responsibility, but I believe you are up to the challenge, and so did Qui-Gon."
Obi-Wan smiled, Kastor's words finally helping him release some of the knot of emotions he'd been feeling since his Master's death. He'd really just been on autopilot, trying to do everything he could to tire himself out, interacting with Anakin sparingly just to make sure he had everything he needed.
It was only a few hours later that Obi-Wan stood at Qui-Gon's funeral pyre, young Anakin right in front of him, staring at Qui-Gon, sadness radiating off the boy. The boy sniffled, and wiped his nose with the back of his hand.
Obi-Wan put, what he hoped, was a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder, inwardly cursing himself for not trying to help the young boy cope with the loss.
"He is one with the Force now, Anakin," Obi-Wan told him. "Let him go."
Anakin nodded sadly. "What is to become of me now?"
"I'm your Master now," Obi-Wan said solemnly, and Anakin looked up at him startled, obviously realizing what that word meant. Obi-Wan smiled and nodded. "You will become a Jedi. I promise."
Anakin smiled at him and then looked back at Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan sensed him come to a resolution.
'He'll be a great Jedi, Master, I promise,' Obi-Wan swore.