AN: I hope everyone's ready for the next chapter. Thank you for your continued support!
Chapter 17
Obi-Wan had tried everything he knew. He had reached out with the Force, trying to locate Siri or Anakin. His Padawan's connection was so strong that he'd felt sure that once he was inside the factory he would be able to locate him, but all he had felt was a void. Sans that, he was sure he could find Siri through their bond, but it was still closed off.
He had walked over much of the factory, and the day was waning. He had looked into the faces of hundreds of slaves. He had seen misery and sickness and exhaustion. He had not seen his Padawan.
He found a private place to contact the Temple. Adi Gallia answered his call.
"We have lost contact with Siri," she said, and he didn't fail to notice the slight hitch in her tone. "We cannot help you, Obi-Wan. You're on your own."
He acknowledged the transmission and quickly tucked the comlink into his tunic. Something indeed was very wrong. It was time to locate Krayn.
Obi-Wan took the lift tube to Krayn's sprawling complex. As he walked toward Krayn's private quarters, he felt a disturbance in the Force. He paused, but he couldn't trace it. Still, it worried him.
Krayn's receiving room surprised Obi-Wan. He had expected richness, a display of Krayn's enormous wealth to show how important he was, but the room was almost bare. The floor was of plain rough stone. The only sign of Krayn's ego was an enormous chair carved out of rare greel wood.
Krayn was standing as Obi-Wan arrived. "So," he said in a jovial tone, "have you seen all that you have come to see?"
"No," Obi-Wan reported shortly. "I have toured some of the factory on my own, but I request a guide. Someone who knows your operation well."
"Hmmm," Krayn said. "That would be Rashtah. Strange, however. No one has been able to find him today. You didn't happen to run into him in your travels, did you? A large Wookiee with a bad temper?"
It was a test, of course. Krayn was playing with him. He knew very well that if Obi-Wan was now standing in front of him, the Wookiee had failed.
"No. Perhaps someone else can substitute."
"I will find someone, of course. I'll send them to you."
"I'll be on the factory floor -"
Krayn's eyes glittered. "Don't worry. I always know where to find you."
Obi-Wan's sense of unease was growing. Krayn felt too secure. Why? Did he know that Obi-Wan was a Jedi? Or was he confident because his deal with the Colicoids was close to being completed?
Obi-Wan paused at the same spot he had felt a disturbance in the Force earlier. He reached out, gathering the Force around him, pushing himself to reach deeper, farther, wider.
He did not feel an answering call from Anakin. Yet he knew one thing: His greatest fear had not been realized. His Padawan was still alive, and he could still feel the bond with Siri blocked, but it was still there, so she was alive as well.
But if he was alive, that meant he was thinking. Planning. Obi-Wan fervently hoped his impulsive Padawan would remember patience and caution. At least he might be with Siri . . .
Apprehension suddenly snaked through Obi-Wan. If Anakin and Siri were together, anything could happen.
**The Will of the Force**
Hours later, a tiny slit in the door opened and a tray was pushed through. On it was a protein wafer as hard as a rock, some water, and a moldy piece of bread.
"No, thank you," Siri said, looking at the moldy bread with derision.
Anakin approached the tray eagerly. He tore open the piece of bread. Inside was a message written on a scrap of durasheet.
What can I do? - Berri
Siri looked over his shoulder. "Who is that?"
"She's my friend Mazie's daughter. She works in the kitchens here." Anakin was glad Mazie had thought of asking for Berri's help. He had counted on it. "Where did you hide your lightsaber? And, while you're at it, mine?"
"In my quarters," Siri answered. "Underneath my sleep-couch."
"That's original."
Siri looked annoyed. "It's handy, and no one ever cleans. I didn't have to worry about being discovered. There are weapons checks throughout Krayn's complex. I couldn't take a chance that my lightsaber would be found."
Anakin wrote carefully with the implement wrapped in the durasheet.
Zora's bed. Weapons
He placed the tray back on the shelf. Minutes later, the slit opened. The tray was grabbed from outside.
"This could be a trick," Siri said worriedly.
"If it is, we're no worse off," Anakin pointed out. "And it's not a trick. Mazie is loyal."
After a moment, Siri nodded. "I trust who you trust."
They sat down to wait. The minutes ticked by, then an hour.
"I was never good at the patience exercises at the Temple," Siri groaned.
"Me, neither," Anakin admitted.
Siri blew out a breath. "Obi-Wan always was."
At last the panel slid open, and two lightsabers tumbled to the floor, followed by two comlinks.
"Thank you, Berri," Anakin whispered through the opening. He could not see Mazie's daughter. "Now get back to your post."
They waited until they were sure that Berri was clear. Then they activated their lightsabers. Anakin felt a surge of confidence as he saw the blue and purple glow. He didn't feel like a slave anymore. He was a Jedi again.
Together they cut through the thick door. The durasteel peeled back, and Siri stepped through the opening, followed by Anakin.
There were no guards in the corridor.
"Krayn always trusts high-tech security too much," Siri muttered. "Let's head for Aga Culpa."
There were only three droid guards stationed in the entrance to the basement prison. Siri and Anakin paused after peeking around the corner to glimpse them.
"We don't have time for a complicated strategy," Siri said. "Let's just charge them."
"My type of plan," Anakin said happily.
They activated their lightsabers again and were on the droids before they could respond to the attack. They both leaped high in the air and then came down, slicing their lightsabers through the closest two droids and splitting them in half. As the third droid started firing, it retreated to the console desk, no doubt to raise an alarm.
Anakin was about to cut it down when a blaster shot came from behind, destroying the droid, and another blaster bolt fried the communication panel.
Anakin and Siri both glanced towards their helpers to see Kastor and Rhys lowering their blasters.
"Here I thought we were going to have to save you," Kastor said with a grin.
"Please, you're the one who always needs saving. That's why Rhys stays by your side," Siri retorted, and Rhys chuckled and nodded sadly.
"Such disrespect, and from my own daughter," Kastor said with a derisive shake of his head, and Anakin glanced between them in confusion.
"Part of our cover," Siri explained. "We don't really have time for this, dad. Follow me and follow my lead."
"Following you is why we're in this prison getting you," Kastor remarked, and Siri glared at him and he grinned at her before he nodded his assent.
She led the way to an exit following a little-used passageway, and they briefly explained the plan to Kastor and Rhys. "This is Krayn's private escape route," she told them all. "It leads to his landing platform, and it's only a short distance from there to Aga Culpa. Krayn insisted that Culpa enjoy the comfort of the complex, but actually he just wanted to keep an eye on him."
Anakin, Kastor, and Rhys followed Siri to Krayn's landing platform and then to another walkway that led to another quadrant of the complex. Siri accessed the door and walked in.
They found Aga Culpa sitting in front of a holographic game.
"Busy as usual, I see," Siri said, striding in and shutting off the game.
Aga Culpa looked up. The expression on his face was such an odd mixture of outrage, embarrassment, and apprehension that Anakin was almost tempted to laugh. Culpa was a thin humanoid male with a slack-muscled body that he clothed in skintight tech fabric. He wore a tiny matching cap on his bald head.
"How dare you burst into my private quarters!" he blustered. Then he looked nervous, taking in Anakin with Rhys and Kastor. "Does Krayn want to see me?"
"No. I do." Siri sat astride a chair. "This is my slave, Anakin, my father Calo, and his first mate, Jaco. We may speak freely in front of them."
Anakin bristled inside at being called a slave, but he understood the necessity for it. Kastor and Rhys glowered dangerously which only made Culpa start sweating.
"I've come to give you a message from the Colicoids," Siri said. "They are going to take over the factories of Nar Shaddaa. Naturally Krayn is not aware of this."
The apprehension on Aga Culpa's face changed to fear. "Take over?" he whispered.
"They have the power," SIri said. "Krayn has crossed them one too many times, including hiring Calo here to attack them, so they're turning the tables, and a close associate of Krayns' has agreed to help them. That's me. I always liked you, Culpa, so I'm giving you the opportunity to join us."
"Against Krayn?" Aga Culpa gripped the arms of his chair.
"It would be a smart move. And easy. All you have to do is nothing. Tell the guards of the Nar Shaddaa factories not to interfere with the slaves."
"I can't do that," Aga Culpa said. "Krayn would kill me."
"Are you so sure that you're safe from the Colicoids if you do not?" Siri asked pleasantly.
Aga Culpa's look of fearful unease intensified. He shook his head. "N-no. I can't go against Krayn."
Siri gave a quick look of exasperation at her three companions. Obviously Aga Culpa was too weak and paralyzed with terror to take a risk. She shrugged. Anaknin knew what was in her mind.
He felt the Force gather in the room. It was powerful, and he admired Siri's grasp of it. It certainly wasn't what he expected from someone who hadn't been a Jedi for two years. She turned her attention back to Aga Culpa and passed a hand in front of his face.
"Contact the Nar Shaddaa slave guards. If there is a revolt, order them to do nothing."
"I will order them to do nothing. I will contact the guards." Aga Culpa's voice was toneless, but the mind suggestion had worked. On such a weak will as Culpa's, it had been easy.
"Do it now."
They watched as Aga Culpa activated his comlink and spoke to the commanding officer. He overrode the officer's expression of disbelief with a firm repeat of the order.
"Do it or suffer the consequences," Siri whispered.
"Do it or suffer the consequences," Aga Culpa repeated. He shut off the communication.
"Thanks, Culpa. I appreciate your support." Siri sprang off the chair athletically and strode toward the door.
As soon as they were outside, Siri frowned. "The Colicoids won't be so easy. Jedi mind tricks won't work. I'll have to go alone."
"I need to talk to the slaves, anyway," Anakin responded.
"Rhys and I will help Anakin with the revolt," Kastor said. "Hopefully we can help the rebellion seem more widespread."
"I don't need to wish you luck," Siri said to them all. "I know you can do it."
"Luck always helps. I'll wait for your signal," Anakin replied.
Anakin ran toward the turbolift. He had gained great confidence in Siri, and now he had Kastor and Rhys backing him up, so nothing could go wrong.
It took Anakin a few minutes of careful strategy to get them around the patrolling guard droids in the factory. He stealthily slipped next to Mazie on the assembly line, hoping the guards would not do a sudden head count, while Rhys and Kastor ran off to start planting grenades and getting into position to mow down droids.
Quickly, he explained the situation and what he needed.
She gazed at him, amazed. "You really do mean to break out, don't you."
"Not alone," Anakin said. "With all of us, together."
"I can't do it, Anakin," Mazie said in a low tone as her fingers continued to work. "I can't ask them to risk so much."
"All we have to worry about is the droids. The Nar Shaddaa guards will look the other way."
"The droids are enough."
"I have two mercenaries that will help. We're going to create a distraction to help draw the droids in. Will that help?"
Mazie bit her lip. "I don't know . . ." she murmured.
"It's the only way, Mazie. Do you want to end your life here, like this? Do you want Berri to live as a slave?"
"You're not fair."
"But I'm right."
"Perhaps . . . perhaps there is a core group who will revolt," she said slowly.
"Will you contact them?"
She nodded.
"Others will see us succeed and will join us," Anakin said confidently.
"I hope you are right," Mazie murmured. Her hands now trembled as she worked.
Anakin slipped away. The end of the shift was only minutes away. Everything depended on Siri now.
**The Will of the Force**
Unable to find Anakin or Siri, Obi-Wan had to report to the Colicoid delegation or risk blowing his cover. He was just beginning his report when Siri burst in.
Relief flooded Obi-Wan as he saw she was safe. He stepped back against the wall so that she would not be distracted if she recognized him. He saw determination on her face - Siri had a plan.
"You must excuse me for coming uninvited to this meeting," she said, turning to Nor Fik. "I come to you without Krayn's knowledge."
Nor Fik looked surprised but immediately tried to hide it. "Go on."
"It is my belief that if you allow Krayn to keep control of the spice factories on Nar Shaddaa, you will lose them and we will all lose the enormous profits we gain from them," Siri said.
"And why should we listen to you?" Nor Fik asked in a frosty tone.
"Because I know more about Krayn's operations than he does," Siri said. "The slaves are poised to revolt. He doesn't have enough security to handle it."
Nor Fik turned to Obi-Wan. "And what do you think, Bakleeda?"
"What I've seen supports what she says," Obi-Wan said shortly. He knew that if he said too much it could backfire.
Siri looked at him curiously. She knew something was off, but she hadn't recognized him. Obi-Wan was tempted to reach out through the Force, but resisted, keeping their bond sealed, though now it was more for the joy of surprising her. She didn't need to know who he was. He had guessed her plan and would follow her lead.
Siri's fingers hooked into her utility belt as she waited for Nor Fik to make a decision. Obi-Wan saw her finger tense and then relaxed. He glimpsed a signaling device tucked inside.
She was sending a signal. That could only mean one thing: Anakin.
"This needs further study," Nor Fik said. "We cannot make a decision based on a few opinions. We are not prepared to take over the entire operation of Nar Shaddaa."
"But you expect to someday," Siri guessed shrewdly. "You won't cut Krayn in forever. You will observe his methods and how you can improve them, and you will move in. He will be no match for you. It is my belief that the spice factories can be run more efficiently with workers rather than slaves. The help you would receive from the Republic would be of enormous benefit. You already have great power in the Senate."
"You speak eloquently, Zora, but again, I must -"
Nor Fik's words were drowned out by a sudden explosion. Siri was almost thrown to the floor, but kept her feet. One of the Colicoids tumbled off his chair and quickly righted himself, embarrassed.
Siri, Obi-Wan, and Nor Fik hurried to the window . They had a panoramic view of the spice processing plant below. A large column of smoke was snaking up from the buildings.
"The rebellion has begun," Siri said. "Do you believe me now?"
Nor Fik stared down at the factory. A moment later, the doors opened and slaves spilled out. Some of them carried weapons they had stolen from the Nar Shaddaa guards.
"Where is Krayn?" Nor Fik asked Siri.
"In his quarters."
"Perhaps it is time he was . . . detained."
Siri put a hand on the hilt of her lightsaber. "I can arrange that."
**The Will of the Force**
Anakin had gathered the team of slaves to set the explosives. He had destroyed a small squad of guard droids with a combination of the Force and his lightsaber. His efforts frankly paled in comparison to Kastor and Rhys, which was honestly a bit humbling since both were using blasters, but they were demolishing droids all over the place. The victory over the guard droids had caused a giant cheer to rise among the slaves, and soon they stripped the droids of weapons and fashioned their own. The rebellion spread.
Anakin stopped only long enough to ensure that the explosion had worked and that the slaves had the upper hand in the battle, though Rhys and Kastor were both assisting the slaves wherever they were needed. The Nar Shaddaa guards all quickly put down their blasters and left the area. More slaves picked up those weapons as well and soon the droids were being overwhelmed.
Anakin raced from the factory toward the turbolift. If he knew Krayn, he guessed that the pirate would not remain on Nar Shaddaa. As soon as Krayn knew the rebellion could not be put down, he would head for his transport. Anakin intended to stop him.
He burst out on the landing platform in time to see Krayn hurrying toward his ship. The pirate carried a blaster in one hand and vibro-ax in the other.
Anakin raced from the opposite end of the platform, his lightsaber already activated. Krayn saw him and quickened his pace.
But Anakin was faster. With a leap, he landed in front of Krayn.
"It is time to pay for your crimes," he said.
"Not by the likes of you, boy," Krayn sneered.
Anakin attacked. He felt no fear. There was something in his blood, something strange, as though ice now moved through his veins. It was not anger, he told himself. It did not feel like anger. It felt like justice. Purpose.
All the lives below in the factories, all the lives he had known on Tatooine, his mother, Hala, Amee, all who had suffered, were in his hands. Everyone he'd lost, everyone he'd loved. Even Qui-Gon was there, urging him on, he felt sure.
He slashed out at Krayn. The pirate was quicker than he expected. Blaster fire singed the sleeve of Anakin's tunic. Anakin reversed and kicked out, hoping to dislodge the weapon from Krayn's meaty fist, but the pirate absorbed the blow and held on.
The ping of blaster fire followed Anakin as he somersaulted and landed to Krayn's left. The pirate dodged the first lightsaber pass and Anakin tossed the lightsaber to his other hand and came at him from a surprising angle. Krayn bellowed as the lightsaber grazed him.
He lifted the vibro-ax as though it were a toy, and came at Anakin from below. Startled, Anakin twisted away, but not before the vibro-ax grazed his wrist. The pain was blinding. If Krayn had been a centimeter or two closer, he would have severed his hand.
Anakin tossed the lightsaber back to his good hand. He leaped around Krayn and attacked from behind. Krayn turned and aimed the blaster. Anakin dodged the fire and moved forward, forcing Krayn to back up.
He felt righteousness pump through him. From now on, he would make no mistakes.
Memories pounded in him, of his mother, of Amee's tears for months after Hala was captured. He matched Krayn's viciousness with his own, driving him back toward the wall so he would hold him at bay. He saw the first flicker of fear in Krayn's eyes and he enjoyed it. He reveled in it.
"You will die at my hands, Krayn," he said through his teeth. "You will die at the hands of a former slave."
Krayn was too exhausted to answer. His hair was wet and matted, and his powerful arm shook as he tried to raise the vibro-ax against Anakin.
Anakin had him now. He would show no mercy. Krayn deserved none. There was no capturing him. There was only killing him.
**The Will of the Force**
Obi-Wan had followed Siri from the conference room. As soon as they were alone, he whipped off his mask.
"I thought so," Siri said. "You were never good at disguise."
"I fooled you," Obi-Wan said with a grin. "Admit it."
She bared her teeth at him. "Never."
He followed her at a run to Krayn's quarters, finally feeling the barrier between their bond dissipate as they connected for the first time in two years, and he couldn't keep the smile off his face feeling the warmth from the bond. Siri sighed happily, and Obi-Wan's smile widened even further.
Krayn was not in his receiving room, or in the control center.
"He wouldn't go down to the factory," Siri said. "He wouldn't want to be anywhere near the rebellion."
They exchanged glances.
"The landing platform," Siri said, and took off. "We also need to deal with Rashtah!"
"I already killed him," Obi-Wan said.
"That's for the best, I guess. He would have been the biggest problem," Siri said. "The rest of Kray's pirates are cowardly fools.
Obi-Wan was a bit surprised at her callousness, but based on her assignment for the past two years, he couldn't blame her.
They pounded through the corridors and burst out the exit. At the opposite end, Anakin held Krayn at bay. The pirate was bent over, breathing heavily. As they watched, a vibro-ax fell from his bleeding hand and clattered to the ground. He lifted his face to his attacker.
"Anakin!" Obi-Wan shouted. He started toward him. Siri circled in case she needed to flank him for support.
His Padawan did not hear him. On his face was an intensity that Obi-Wan had never seen before.
Anakin raised his lightsaber to deliver the fatal blow.
"Don't!" Obi-Wan shouted.
The lightsaber slashed downward. Anakin sunk it in Krayn's chest. Krayn's mouth opened in a wordless scream. He locked eyes with Anakin. Then he toppled to the ground.
Siri knew she should feel sorrow at the loss of life and to an extent she did, but she couldn't really feel all that bad about Krayn's death. That bothered her a little, but her concern paled in comparison to Obi-Wan's worry for his Padawan. She too could see the intense look on Anakin's face, but as she and Obi-Wan approached closer, she noticed the blaster still in Krayn's hand. Obi-Wan too seemed to notice and she felt his concern retreat slightly, but she could tell he was still . . . nervous. Yes, he was still nervous.
Anakin finally seemed to notice them, and his intense gaze faded and he smiled.
"Master!" he ran forward, and Obi-Wan's nervousness retreated even further as he bent down and took his Padawan into a hug, and she felt the relief through their bond.
"Oh, it's good to see you, Anakin," Obi-Wan said with a sigh.
"It's good to see you, too, Master," Anakin said tiredly.
Obi-Wan pulled back and a slight frown formed on his face as he really took a look at the battered, weary, and injured boy in front of him.
"You're a mess, Padawan," Obi-Wan said, deciding humor and compassion was the better approach, since he really had no idea what Anakin's situation had been like for the past two weeks.
Anakin's face fell slightly, but he nodded. "Things were pretty rough here, Master."
Obi-Wan nodded slowly. "You were right, you know. I didn't fully understand, but I do have a better understanding now. Perhaps we both learned something from this."
Anakin nodded slowly.
"You should get him to the Ebon Hawk and let Doc take a look at him," a voice said, and they turned to see Kastor and Rhys, and Siri felt further relief emanate from Obi-Wan. "Rhys can escort you both to the Ebon Hawk, if that works?" Kastor offered up.
Obi-Wan nodded, glancing at Siri first, and she sent him encouragement through the bond.
"Thank you, Master," Obi-Wan said and then he nodded for Rhys to lead the way.
Anakin turned to Siri just as they were about to start heading off.
"I'm sorry about the problems I caused, but thank you for trusting me," Anakin said.
Siri smiled. "Your Master has great faith in you, and from what I've seen, it's well placed. Go get some rest. You did well."
Anakin smiled brightly, and Obi-Wan shot her a grateful look before they both went off with Rhys, leaving Siri and Kastor alone.
"Can you disable the remaining security droids?" Kastor asked. "The workers have taken the factory, but the rest of the compound is still held by what remains of the droids."
Siri nodded and then guided him over to Krayn's body where they retrieved a device out of one of the pouches on his belt. Siri manipulated the device to force all remaining security droids to return to their maintenance room and shut down.
"I can't believe it's over," she said with immense relief, after the droids were dealt with. "He's really dead, and it's over."
"You did a great job, kiddo," Kastor said softly, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her in for a comforting hug.
"You're going to have to watch what you call me," Siri teased. "I'm not your daughter anymore."
"Thank the Force," Kastor said with an overexaggerated exhale, causing Siri's mouth to drop in mock offense. "I swear, I've only grown grey hairs dealing with you. I can only pray that Allara wasn't nearly as much effort or Elena surely was cursing my name all the way to the end. Adi's a saint!"
Siri playfully shoved Kastor, though not with enough force to separate their embrace.
"Her holocron is proof that she was incredible, but dealing with you tells me that she must have been a saint."
"Ha! Similar to you, she had no patience, especially with my antics," Kastor said with a chuckle.
"I have some patience," Siri weakly protested, knowing she specifically said to Anakin not long ago how patience exercises had never been her strong suit.
"Some," Kastor agreed with amusement before it faded. "Let's wrap this up a bit more, so that we can get everyone back to the Temple. Did you find out where Krayn stored his vault?"
She nodded. "I figured I could alert the Republic to its location as soon as the Colicoids officially take control of Nar Shaddaa. That should ensure the funds reach the Republic while giving the Colicoids a bit more clout. While I'm not super eager to help them out, it will ensure that they do take control of Nar Shaddaa, helping to eliminate the slave trade. Their greed will help keep them in line."
Kastor sighed. "That's a good idea, and I'm not against it, except that if nobody accounts for the amount in the vault, there's no guarantee that all of it, if any of it, makes it back to the Republic. Especially since Krayn was making it seem like he needed the Colicoid's capital, it could be implied that he didn't have anything in his vault. So, if we're setting up his riches to be plundered, I would argue that it might as well be us that does it, even if simply to help add even more notoriety to our covers. We can funnel most of it back to the Republic."
"Most of it?" Siri asked with a frown, pulling away from Kastor. "While I can understand your reasoning for not leaving it up to the Colicoids, there's no reason why we couldn't have some trustworthy account for the funds, thus removing the chance of it disappearing. It seems to me that you want to keep a portion, and I'm beginning to suspect you intend to keep a fairly large portion."
"Perceptive as always," Kastor said, with a hint of pride. "You are correct of course. I wanted to get a feel of how much he had before I decided how much to take, but I did intend to take a fairly large cut, if possible. Do you trust me?"
"With my life," Siri said without hesitation, "but I'm now starting to see that you've been planning this for a while, and I'd hazard to guess that if I looked, the credits you've funneled back into the Republic and the Order are probably a trifle compared to the amount you've actually earned."
"You would be correct," Kastor admitted. "Granted, repairs and upgrades for the Ebon Hawk certainly dip into my credits, along with bribes and weapons for missions, and I'd much rather use my illicit funds rather than request aid from the Temple and cause any hardships there, but overall, I haven't funneled much of what I've earned back to the Temple."
"Why?" Siri asked. Kastor was many things, but possessive or greedy, he was not. He was loyal and kind. He could be reckless and was very unorthodox, but still a good Jedi. Sure, he was attached to his ship, but she'd never seen him crave any of the comforts that someone desiring wealth might crave, nor did she see him as someone who desired the power that came from wealth. Honestly, she couldn't even picture him settling down with wealth. Part of his love of the Shadow and Jedi life was that he got to move around the galaxy and help people.
Kastor stared at her assessingly, and for a second she wasn't sure he would deign to answer her. Finally, he started speaking hesitantly.
"I'm attempting to prepare for the future," he told her. "I believe the Jedi Order is too reliant on the Republic, and I'm trying to make a fund that the Order could use should we have to go underground."
"Why would the Order -" Siri froze, her eyes widening. "Your visions from when you first met Obi and I? Did you foresee a future where the Order would crumble?"
"I foresaw many possible futures . . . but yes, in many of them, I foresaw a potential Jedi Purge, one that few would survive," Kastor admitted.
Siri stared at him in horror, thinking of the Order, strong and built for the good of the people in the galaxy, nearly destroyed.
"This, this is what you think Obi and I can prevent? With our bond?" she asked, starting to really worry about Kastor's visions, and trying to call on her Jedi training to calm her nerves.
Kastor sighed.
"I don't know that your bond can prevent anything, Siri," Kastor admitted. "This isn't really the time for this discussion. I saw many, many futures. The ones where you both were together, or at least committed to your bond in some form, were the futures that had the brightest hope, but I will admit that there was hope whether you were together or not. Many of my visions featured you and Obi-Wan . . . and I believe Obi-Wan is essential to the future. Regardless, I only saw a few futures that didn't have a purge of our Order . . . and most of those futures are gone," Kastor said quietly to Siri's dismay. "Nothing that you did affected it," he assured her. "They faded with Qui-Gon's death."
"Qui-Gon's death?" Siri said in shock. "You're saying Qui-Gon could have prevented the Purge?"
"Either him or perhaps his influence in some way," Kastor agreed, though she could sense he was still holding something back, something he didn't want to share. "I don't want to reveal too much because I don't want to burden you, nor do I want you having secrets from Obi-Wan if they can be prevented. I would urge you not to mention Qui-Gon's death as being a centerpoint to the lost future, since I'm sure you'll mention this to him."
"Of course not," she retorted. "He already feels bad enough. There's nothing more he could have done."
"Exactly," Kastor said with a nod. "There's nothing he could have done. Perhaps there's nothing any of us could have done," Kastor continued with a shrug, though she could sense his regret. She knew Obi-Wan felt guilty about Qui-Gon's death or at least he had when she left, but it was obvious that Kastor too carried guilt and regret from the loss. "The Force has a will, and the darkness is part of it, even if most darksiders twist it. At this point, I don't know if we can prevent a purge. A purge might be the only path that allows the Force to eventually achieve balance. I don't know. The Council is aware of all . . . or most of what I saw. While they plan to do their best to prevent the purge, it is not in their nature to prepare for when it happens," Kastor said hesitantly. "That's what I'm trying to do."
"You're gathering resources so that you can help fund an Order in hiding," Siri said, catching on.
"At minimum," Kastor agreed with a grimace. "Which means, I need to worry about ships, hidden outposts, fuel, food, and medical supplies, credits for fake documents and bribes, etc. That's why I need as much as I can get now. I sense that that dark future is still years away, and I'm going to do what I can to push that even further away, if possible, so the more I can prepare now, the better."
"Is the Council aware of what you're doing?" Siri asked, still shaken from Kastor's revelations.
"A few members are aware of some of my actions, including your Master," Kastor said before he sighed. "I don't want my actions to become common knowledge, nor for it to be even Council knowledge. It's cynical to say, but I don't necessarily trust all of our fellow Jedi."
Sir's eyes widened and she stared at him in shock.
Kastor shrugged a little sadly. "If you look at our Order's history, our biggest threats often came from within. Jedi turn and then rise up to fight their former mentors and friends. In many of my visions I saw Jedi, including you, Obi-Wan, and myself battling shrouded assailants, some with red blades, and some with the common blue and green blades of the Order. I don't want my plans to get out, just in case we have a traitor from within. I don't even know if my preparations will help, but I must do everything I can to save as many lives as I can, to save you- . . . My Order had still been dealing with the aftereffects of surviving the First Jedi Purge, and that Order barely survived it. My past was a few hundred years after the Purge and we still had only barely recovered. I don't want the next several hundred years to be a repeat of history."
Siri nodded slowly, seeing what he was getting at, even if it displayed a cynical side to her mentor that she hadn't seen before. She also noticed the near slip, and she couldn't help but deduce that she didn't survive in all the futures he foresaw . . . perhaps even very few of them. Was that the same for Obi-Wan?
"What part do Obi-Wan and I have to play in this future?" Siri asked finally. "I need to know. You said Obi-Wan was essential."
Kastor slumped. "I don't think it's time for you to know everything, Siri. Know that I believe war is coming, a galactic war that will shake this galaxy, the Republic, and the Order to their foundations, and most of the war's endings involve pain and darkness."
"I need to know, Kas," Siri said. "I need to know, dad."
Kastor's eyes closed, and she knew she was being unfair using his affection for her, but she didn't care.
"I believe Obi-Wan has been chosen by the Force," Kastor finally said, and Siri gave him her full attention.
"Chosen?" Siri said quickly. "You think Obi-Wan's the Chosen -"
"No," Kastor cut her off. "No, I don't think he's the Chosen One . . . not that I believe in that ruddy prophecy. I've met beings like Anakin . . . and I've met beings that I would say were more powerful than Anakin - ancient Force beings who are neither Jedi or Sith. The Force ebbs and flows between the light and dark, and balance comes, before it eventually fades. That is how it will always work. I believe there are new "Chosen Ones" every now and then to help achieve years of balance. Anakin might be that . . . but Anakin could also just be a stepping stone to balance. Prophecies are hard, and I've never set much store in them. Open-ended ones that we don't really know the origin of nor are we sure that we have the whole prophecy of are not ones I tend to hold stock in. No, I believe Obi-Wan was chosen to be the guardian of this galaxy's hope . . . the hope of our Order, a task he will fulfill sometime in the future."
"What about me?" Siri asked.
"I believe you are his guardian, his salvation," Kastor said softly to Siri's disbelief. "I foresaw much pain and sorrow coming to Obi-Wan . . . and he's already suffered a lot. I believe you are meant to be Obi-Wan's guardian, his confidant . . . his soul. In the futures where you and he committed to your bond, in any manner, the weight on his soul was less, the strain on his body was less. Those were the futures that seemed to have even brighter futures than what Obi-Wan could achieve on his own. Whatever task the Force has for Obi-Wan, you are able to help him accomplish it and perhaps give him the strength to survive it, even if that's just making sure Obi-Wan isn't a crotchety old man waiting for his end. Obi-Wan is essential, but I believe you are just as important, and I am determined to do everything in my power . . . everything the Force will help me to achieve, to ensure that you and Obi-Wan survive and get even a portion of the lives you deserve. Whether that is as the closest of friends or more, I truly don't care, though I think we both know what direction you are heading. I just want to ensure that balance is achieved . . . and that my family that I love dearly have a chance at happiness."
Siri gazed at Kastor in astonishment, deeply moved, and she did the only thing she could think of which was walk into Kastor and hug him with everything she had. She felt him sigh.
"Can we put this on hold until later?" he asked softly, and she nodded into his chest.
"I'll let this go for now . . . but it's time for you to tell me and Obi-Wan everything you can," Siri said.
"Maybe it is," Kastor agreed, pulling back and rubbing her cheek fondly. "You've grown a lot in this assignment, and I am very proud of who you have become . . . daughter."
"Thanks, dad," Siri said, blushing slightly.
Kastor chuckled. "You're welcome." He sighed. "You should probably get to the Colicoids and keep up the image of Zora taking over. Obi-Wan should be able to help you avoid burning your cover, and I think that's for the best. You might need it again some day."
Siri nodded, and started to walk back towards the compound.
"I'll grab Rhys and head over to the vault. Send me the coordinates . . . oh, and Rhys and I are planning to steal the remaining security droids."
Siri stopped moving and turned to him, now feeling exasperated.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yes, well, we assume it will be hard for them to figure out how many were destroyed in the little revolt and we could use those droids," Kastor admitted.
Siri sighed, and then she rubbed her eyes. "Do what you need to do. I'll cover it up."
With those last words, she walked away swiftly, typing on her comlink and sending Kastor the coordinates.