The Ebon Hawk flew low over endless plains and rolling grasses. The sun was setting when we arrived at the golden fields. Birds and other critters flew out of bushes and cliffs. Small settlements dotted about the flatlands—all farming communities that looked as if they were barely scraping by. A boring yet peaceful planet. I'd never been, and that said a lot because I went to nowhere planets. The Exchange saw no profit in the planet, Czerka saw no credits in the planet, and the Republic saw no use for the planet.

Except for the Jedi.

I yawned after being awakened by Carth shouting at all of us in the comm to get to the bridge to prepare to land. Awakened being the closest term. Un-vegetating might have been closer. It felt as if hadn't had a decent night's sleep in years. Despite being confident in my decision to avoid the Jedi, I was worried about what would happen once we landed.

In the distance, a large campus by a lakeside entered the viewport. Carth twisted the Hawk around towards the docking ports at the very edge of the enclave. The place was larger than I'd imagined a Jedi enclave to be. Figures walked along the lakeside, flashes of lightsabers reflected from within, and at least twenty small courtyards spread over the land, all encircled by steel walls. Sort of like a prison. I smirked at that dark thought.

After the Ebon Hawk landed, the pilot shut off the engine with a flick. His forehead was creased—probably still hated this idea of a "mission" here. I unbuckled, then grabbed my crutch. The kolto was working to get rid of the pain, but my leg was by all means still crushed. Hopefully, the thing would heal in a week. And by then, I'm leaving on the next shuttle to who-gives-a-kriff.

As we all walked into the garage, Canderous approached my side. "Is there any reason why we've stopped?"

I shrugged a response while Bastila pressed a switch to open the ramp of the Hawk. Canderous returned to working on the speeder in the Hawk's garage while Zaalbar and Liam followed behind us. Mission had gone off somewhere as soon as the Hawk landed. I eyed the Wookiee a silent question.

Zaalbar growled. "Mission wants to be left alone for now. She's...still upset over Taris."

Right. A kid couldn't just get over the murders of billions in one day. At least she wasn't pointing fingers at us anymore.

I caught Bastila's gaze before the incline opened to the ground. I raised an eyebrow at her but her gaze didn't linger. She stomped down the ramp and didn't call back like we were her lackeys expecting to follow her every move. And, unfortunately, we did.

The air was fresher than any I had ever breathed before. It reminded me a lot of Deralia—clean air, open skies, no traffic. Peace. Funny that. A few droids floated around the Hawk and performed quick maintenance scans. All of them blinked red and some beeped in alarm. The ship was a mere reflection of our current mental and physical state. Other than the droids, only two figures were at our port, barely hidden in the afternoon shade.

One was a strange imp-looking creature that I've never seen before. He (or she?) was at most a foot tall. He clasped his three-fingered hands together in front of his tiny chest. Another, an older dark-skinned human, watched us with stern, wise eyes.

When we all left the Hawk's ramp, Bastila bowed to both of the strangers, first to the imp then to the older man.

"Master Vandar. Master Dorak. It's good to see both of you."

The imp creature—named Vandar—smiled at the Jedi. "And you as well Bastila. We have heard about what happened to Taris. The Force cried out, and we feared the worse for you and..."

His big eyes flicked towards those of us who stood behind Bastila. Carth straightened while the Wookiee and kid didn't react at all to being addressed. I didn't even have the energy to give them a look back. I wanted to go back to sleep, eat something, then maybe get my leg checked out by a medical professional. Funny how my mind drifted to the mundane when we were standing in front of two powerful Jedi Masters.

There was an uncomfortable silence. It took me a moment to realize that it was quiet because the two masters were staring at me. For some reason, their stares sent chills down my spine. Oh, no, they didn't "sense the Force" in me, did they? I gave them a glare back. Couldn't they see that I was an exhausted mess and not Jedi material?

The other master, Dorak, turned back to Bastila. "You have a lot to explain. We would like for you to debrief the Council over what transpired at Taris and discuss your mission—"

And that was Carth's favorite word now. "What mission are you guys even talking about?" he asked.

Vandar gave Onasi a sympathized look. "We understand why you ask, Commander Onasi, but this business is between Bastila and the Jedi Council. You have to understand that the fate of the galaxy is at stake."

Sounded like excuses. The Jedi really liked those. And it wasn't just Carth who had the paranoid bug.

"You sure you guys don't want to share this mission with us? We almost died for this 'fate of the galaxy,'" I said, waving at Bastila. She glared at me. "It's the least we deserve."

Master Dorak sighed. His eyes never met mine when he gave a single-syllable response.

"No."

Pfft...well then.

"Okay, fine. You three go on and do your little secretive Jedi stuff or whatever. I'll be where the food is."

Not that it mattered to them where I was going. Doubt I'd see them again. I limped past Bastila and avoided her stare. She better keep quiet about my "Force sensitivity." Something told me that was an impossible wish. As I limped, the Jedi's stares followed me—I could feel the disgust rolling off of them like herder steak and fry grease.

Yeah, I better stop before I found myself delectable.

Before I could leave, Dorak waved to a protocol droid. "Direct our friends to the mess hall. There should still be some food leftover from dinner."

The droid responded with an affirmative then staggered past me. Zaalbar pounced at the mention of food. Liam and Carth looked as starved as I was. I gave this Dorak a nod in thanks. Because I would have gotten myself lost in this place.

The enclave was surrounded by metal walls with occasional durasteel windows that gave a nice view of the lakeside. The droid led us down the halls through many courtyards. Gardens overflowing with flowers from many different planets grew in all of those courtyards. Small children passed us and gave Liam a look that he returned with shyness. The Jedi of this academy were of the younger sort. A few teenagers and young adults gave the strangers curious looks as if we were artifacts in a Coruscant museum.

When we got to the mess hall, the droid bowed then left with a small shuffle. The hall was empty of people—only a few cleaning droids. Zaalbar rushed to the buffet and grabbed anything his claws landed on while I warned him to leave at least some for us. Fortunately, he wasn't that selfish and left half of what was leftover.

I collapsed on the bench beside Carth who had taken very little food compared to me. I'd filled my entire tray with fruit and vegetables—no meat, unfortunately. All of that was cold by now. At least the fruit was crisp and filling. At this point, I didn't even care what food tasted like. The Gamorreans could have fed me rancor crap and I wouldn't have even minded. Well, maybe.

The soldier sighed then leaned forward onto the table. I picked out a few fruits for the kid and handed them to him. Liam chewed softly and stared into space.

The darkened wall was covered with the glow of the sunset.

"I wonder what they're talking about," I mumbled, taking a bite of my apple.

"I don't know, but I don't like it. What do they have to hide?"

I shrugged. "Plenty. If everyone knew how Battle Meditation worked then the Sith could learn how to block it."

"They probably aren't talking about that."

Well, true, I suppose. No one really knew what Jedi liked to talk about anyway. The group was mysterious and aloof for a reason—to avoid their ever feared dark side.

My hand shook as I finished my fruit and threw the core onto the tray. No, what was I worried about? I was going to leave Dantooine as soon as my leg healed. Mission, Zaalbar, and the kid might follow me but Bastila and Carth? I wasn't so sure. But I was certain that that the Mando was going to leave as soon as possible. He had some slaughtering to do after all.

We finished our dinner under the hour. Before I could ask the droid where we could rest for the night, I was stopped by Carth again.

"Where will you be heading after this?" he asked me. "The Republic is still in need of 'talented' soldiers like you."

I was shocked. Carth was trying to recruit me? I laughed while eyeing the Wookiee who was eating like a cleaning droid.

"Sorry, but I'm leaving for the Outer Rim. I was forced to become a soldier in the first place."

Carth's smile turned sad. "Knew you would say that."

"So...you're not going to arrest me?"

He shrugged. "You had an...unfortunate accident. Didn't make it off Taris. Oh, well."

A soft smile crossed my features. Don't know why him of all people saying that made me feel better about all of this.

"Where will you be heading off to, Orangy? Back to the Navy?"

"I'm stuck here until the Sith clear the Outer Rim. I really don't want to be caught by them again. Until then, I'll be contacting the fleet to inform them about the details of Taris."

We were left standing there in awkward silence. It was like a goodbye but...not.

Liam jumped from his seat and gave me a proud look. He probably hasn't eaten this well before in his life. That thought made me wish that I could kill Brejik ten times over for what he did.

As I approached the droid to get directions, Carth spoke over my shoulder. "What about the Jedi? Those two were giving you odd looks when we exited the Hawk. Do they want you for something?"

I grimaced. "If they want something from me then they'll be sorely disappointed."

"But why would they want you? What is this all about?"

"You think I wouldn't tell you if I already knew the answer to that?"

Carth gave me a look.

"Yes. I am betting that you wouldn't tell me. You've hidden things from me before."

The droid bowed its head and led us through the darkening enclave again. Liam followed along with the Wookiee who had brought his plate with him. How much could that stomach hold anyway?

Carth was still glaring at me. I smiled in return. "Life is better when there are some mysteries still left in it. You call it hiding. I call it being interesting."

"But if that mystery causes billions of people to die...then we have a problem."

"See, there's your problem, Orangy. You're a pessimist. You'll see womp rats around every corner if you look hard enough."

"Ah, and you're a shining example of optimism then?"

I smirked back at Carth while stuffing my hands in my jacket pockets.

"Who said I was an optimist?"

One of the droids turned to address me. It wanted me to go one way—the rest of them would follow another droid. Odd, but I was too tired to question it. I left Carth behind with those words. That may have been our goodbye. Or not.

The sun set as the droid led me through the Enclave. The moons of Dantooine covered half of the sky and the winds stirred my hair over my shoulders. Dark clouds rumbled in the distance. A storm was coming. The bugs in the gardens were restless with their croaks and yawns. That and I was tired. Oh so very tired.

So tired that I didn't notice where I was going.

A Jedi walking in the opposite direction as I paused before I almost crashed into her. She was with another Jedi—this one a young Cathar. The older Jedi crossed her arms and a stern expression crossed her wrinkled features.

"What are you doing?" She grabbed a fistful of my jacket. "Why are you not wearing your Jedi robes, Padawan?"

I shoved her hand away from me and winced at my injured leg.

"I'm not a Jedi or a Padawan. That's why."

The old woman blinked, confused, before her eyes widened. She took a full step back and away as if I was a kinrath spider. The young Cathar raised her eyebrows.

"Master Quatra, is everything alright?" the Cathar asked.

Quatra rushed past me as if nothing happened between us. The younger Jedi bowed a quick apology before she followed her master with feline-like steps. I scratched my head. I guess it wasn't just Bastila. These Jedi were a bunch of weirdos.

The droid had waited patiently for me while I had that odd exchange and began to head towards the dorms when I resumed walking.

Eventually, the droid stopped before a room in some dark corner. The door opened with a hiss and I was relieved to see any bed no matter how uncomfortable it looked. When I entered the small interior, the door slammed closed. I swear I heard something lock, but I was probably hallucinating due to the lack of sleep. I dropped my crutch and didn't bother to take off my jacket as I collapsed face down onto the hard mattress.

Sleep, stress, and fatigue faded into dreams.

"I guess this is goodbye."

Dantooine's port reflected orange with the sunset. A tall boy smiled as he said his goodbyes. The smile was false.

Guilt.

"You'll pass your trials. I know it. Just remember to—"

"Oh, shut up." The boy bashed a shoulder with a hand. "I'm trying to say goodbye. As a friend, idiot. You aren't my teacher anymore. Never was…so, for once, don't worry about me. Alright?"

The shuttle glowed with energy. Dantooine's evening sky painted orange. Space. The unknown. It was terrifying.

"Don't look so scared, womp rat. You're going out there. Space! Better than being sheltered here forever, right? "

Something shook my shoulder. My eyes were heavy and for once they refused to open. I was actually having a nice dream even though I'd forgotten what it had been about. So, like most of my dreams.

I shoved the hand off my shoulder with a groan like a spoiled teenager.

"Go away..."

"Get up."

I peered past my arm and spotted Bastila standing over me. I sat up with a start and gazed out the window with a frown. The pounding rain masked the foggy darkness of the night.

"What do you want?" I rubbed my face. It almost felt like I was drunk. "What time is it?"

"2100."

2100? That was so early. When did I fall asleep?

I glared at the Jedi. She was soaked by the rain outside. Her hair stuck to her face. Overall, she looked miserable. Good. She should know better than to climb into someone's room like a thief or kidnapper. Did these Jedi even have boundaries?

Sleep. Rather do that than listen to her talk.

I laid down only for the Jedi to huff in response.

"The Council has requested your presence at this time. This is an honor that few are ever given. Now...get up."

She shoved me again but it wasn't needed. What Bastila had said caused me to shoot awake.

The Jedi Council wanted to see me?

I narrowed my eyes. "What do they want me for?"

"You don't know?" She crossed her arms. "I told the Council about your strong affinity with the Force. They want to evaluate you."

Kriff. I didn't want to see the Jedi. I made a promise to myself not to. But the way Bastila spoke sounded like this was urgent. I didn't want her to get in trouble with her Council. She had saved my life after all. Perhaps I owed her one.

And I was awake anyway. I couldn't go back to sleep knowing the Jedi Council had something to say to me. Curiosity killed the Cathar and all that.

I stood and shook my jacket into place.

"This better be good."

Bastila swiveled around and I grabbed my crutch in order to limp after her. When we stepped out of the dorms, the rain pounded on us. Bastila was wearing a new Jedi robe so she pulled her hood up. Meanwhile, I was left to the cold briny weather of Dantooine. Should have brought an umbrella.

The courtyards were eerie without the many Jedi walking around. Occasionally, a droid shuffled through the halls, but it was as if everyone was hiding from the world.

I decided to fill the silence. My voice echoed in the hall with the rain.

"And this couldn't wait till morning?"

Bastila's tired voice replied. "The Council has debated for hours. They won't make a decision until they've seen you for themselves."

I stopped. "Debated? For hours? Over what?"

She stopped with me. The rain pattering was my only reply before she began to walk again. Chills ran up my spine. The type of chill that didn't come from the rain outside.

This was a trap. First, Bastila mentioned that I should see the Council because of my Force powers or whatever. And now they were demanding to see me? It didn't help that they were taking advantage of my tired mental state.

We finally arrived at the largest building in the Enclave—the Jedi Temple. The doors swished open as we approached then closed after we entered. In the lobby, I squeezed the rain from my poor jacket and shook my hair as dry as it could get. The rain roared above like an angry crowd as Bastila led me past the lobby into the main foyer of the Temple.

The domed ceiling was made of glass, more than likely to let the light inside, but instead the windows cried with the storm. Four Jedi sat in a semi-circle on a raised dais. I recognized the two from before but not the others—a pale red Twi'lek and a wrinkled old man. The silence from those four could be cut by hair strands. They stared at us with steel while Bastila led me further inside the hall. I wished that they had offered us seats as well but I don't think I would have taken the offer, even with my bad leg.

The Jedi stared at me like I was a rare species from Kashyyyk.

Eventually, thankfully, the Twi'lek spoke.

"So, you are who Bastila was speaking of. I am Master Zhar." The Twi'lek nodded to the old man and the rest. "With me are Master Vrook, Master Vandar, and the Chronicler of our Academy, Master Dorak."

Okay.

Enough.

I stormed to Bastila's side so that I could whisper angrily into her ear.

"So, you've drawn me into a little trap. Are you proud of yourself?"

She glared at me. "You are in front of the Council. Behave."

Well, now that gave me an excuse to do the exact opposite of that. I glared at the Twi'lek.

"What the hell do you want?"

Master Vrook, the old man, had a frown ever imprinted on his forehead. He leaned in to better glare at me.

"Maybe we were too quick to judge. He isn't suited for Jedi training."

Thanks for ignoring my question, pal.

I stuttered. "Wait...Jedi training?"

Master Zhar leaned back as he continued to study me. "What Bastila Shan has told us seems to be true. We didn't even need to see him to feel it. Should we even risk letting him go?"

I was still utterly speechless.

"What are...what are you even talking about?"

I gave Bastila an eye over my shoulder but she didn't meet my gaze. Hadn't she said she wasn't even sure about my Force sensitivity? They seemed sure of something.

Vrook narrowed his eyes at the Twi'lek. "You speak out of turn, Master Zhar." He finally addressed me. "We are unsure if you are strong in the Force at all. In fact, that is why you are here now. So that we can test to see if you are truly Force sensitive."

I noticed Bastila's confusion. I was not looking forward to this test. Whatever it was, I was going to fail it on purpose.

The imp that I met before—Master Vandar—nodded his tiny head.

"It is only natural to doubt, Master Vrook."

Bastila took a step forward. "Doubts? Why would there be any?" She waved her hand at me, something people liked to do now I guess. "The Force is strong in him. I've told you about what happened on Taris. He's used the Force countless times, the swoop bike race among others, and he sensed the destruction on Taris. There is no need for a test."

Finally, Master Dorak nodded. "What Bastila says is true. He is strong in the Force. But is it a faint flicker? Or a dangerous tidal wave?"

Vrook pursed his old lips. He pointed a crude finger at me.

"Not strong enough and he will never be strong enough. We made sure—"

"Master Vrook," Vandar interrupted. "Temper your fear. You cannot deny the truth of the matter. There is no doubt."

I coughed. Loudly.

The entire room of people stared at me when that cough reverberated with the rain patters.

"Kinda hard to make a decision while talking around your subject."

Vrook pah-ed then sat back. He waved a hand at me.

"Look, he already displays arrogance. And you expect to actually train him in the ways of the Force?"

How was that arrogant? Them ignoring me was arrogant!

Vrook turned his attention back to the Jedi Masters. "Perhaps it was simple luck."

You know...that was exactly what I was hoping for it to be before. But now that I think about it, were all of those happenings simple coincidences? The lightsaber, the race, the dark Jedi battle, the screams. The dreams. The longer I believed that it was all dumb luck, the more unpractical those beliefs became.

Zhar shook his head, his lekku bouncing. "There is no such thing as luck. There is only the Force."

Vrook looked back at the other Jedi Master. "Even so, if we decided to train this one, he will eventually fall, guaranteed. It is hard to train a child, why should we even attempt to train an adult?"

I sneered while leaning more on my crutch. They had so much faith in me. Was it because I used to be a smuggler or something?

"Look...I'm not quite sure I heard right about this whole 'training to be a Jedi' thing—"

Master Vandar interrupted me. "We have no choice, Master Lamar. With each passing day, Malak and the Sith grow in strength. Eventually, they will overpower us with sheer numbers. And with Revan dead..."

Vrook stood violently. "Who is to say that Revan is truly dead? What if he—"

Vandar also stood from his seat in order to grab this Vrook's attention. His big eyes were filled with...regret? I had no idea what they were talking about. After all, they were having this discussion as if I didn't exist.

Vrook stopped running his mouth then eyed the imp.

"There won't be another Revan. Not again. We will discuss this later, Master Vrook. For now..." He eyed me carefully. "Your name is Wesley Gale, is that correct?"

I could feel myself growing red when he called me that. At least they were finally speaking to me directly.

"I'd be happy with just Wes, Jedi Master," I said. "If you wouldn't mind."

Vrook huffed out of earshot though I heard him and moved my eyes to glare back at him. I wondered why I took such great offense to him. Was he like that for everyone or was it just me?

Vandar nodded his small head then waddled towards me. I eyed him curiously as he held out his hand...and my crutch rushed to him. I wavered off balance and sneered in pain.

"What the—!"

I shook but I didn't fall. My leg hurt of course but I still had the balance to keep myself upright. I wasn't sure if that was normal. Wouldn't the crushing pain cause me to tumble to the ground?

Vandar smiled up at me. "You don't need this, do you?" He placed the crutch onto the floor then crossed his tiny arms. "The Force can suppress pain if used correctly. You were using this technique instinctively. Anyone else with wounds like yours wouldn't have been able to walk around our enclave—crutch included."

"..."

Was he serious?

"Though, this power seems to come and go like strong, impenetrable winds. Tears in the Force itself." He turned around to eye Vrook. "If it is not controlled, it will tear down the galaxy. Do you think we could risk that?"

Kind of an overstatement. Doubt I could do anything of the sort. And it still hurt, damn it. If you wanted to use me as an example then tell me before you go ripping my crutch away.

Finally, Master Dorak spoke. "I feel as if we need more time to think about this...strange phenomenon."

"I agree. Tomorrow we will discuss further...and decide what to do with the information we have been given," Vandar replied.

The imp lifted the crutch with the Force again and handed it back delicately, smiling earnestly at me. It was hard not to smile back at him. Despite their aloof natures, they really weren't all that bad, right? At least that was what the sane side of my mind believed.

Bastila bowed. "We will sleep for now, Masters."

I nodded, since bowing to these people would be rather awkward, then limped away from the four masters. I could still feel their stares even after we left the hall into the foyer. Another chill shivered through my spine.

She was waiting for me by the door with crossed arms. When she turned to leave, I held out a hand.

"Wait." The door opened. The wind blew into my face and sprinkles of rain pattering the pavement. Lightning flashed, illuminating her figure. A few seconds passed before I spoke. "You really think that I would agree to this? Becoming a Jedi?"

She sighed, turning to look out into the rain. "The Council hasn't even decided whether or not they should train you yet."

I limped closer to her, close enough to see the detail in her calm grey eyes. "I have heard a lot about what the Jedi Council wants to do with me, but not once have they asked what I wanted to do." I peered into her eyes. "Do I even get a say in this?"

Bastila pursed her lips as she continued to avoid my stare. Her mouth opened then closed again.

"That is—the Jedi Council is wiser than I. What I say—"

"Oh, just cut out that bantha poo doo. I want to know your opinion, damn it. Not the Council's." I waved out to the rain. "I could run if I wanted to. Take the Ebon Hawk. Go to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. Nothing could stop me."

Then, her gray eyes hardened in resolve. "Then why haven't you?" I paused. Before I could think of anything, she continued. "If you wanted to leave, you would have left."

I gaped. "That...that was before I realized that your damn Council wanted to make me a Jedi."

"Is it?" She finally met my gaze. "What the Council said is true. You have a great command of the Force. So great—without proper training it is dangerous. If you become a Jedi then you will have nothing to fear. You will be protected by what is to come."

My breath froze.

"What are you saying?"

"The Sith." She turned away from the rain. "If you think that the Jedi are the only ones who can sense you, you're wrong. That dark Jedi on Taris sensed you without effort. You will be an easy target to Malak and his dark Jedi without training."

That made...sense. Why hadn't I seen it like that before? No matter where I ran, they would find me if I couldn't control this power. I would be a sitting gizka, naively listening to the first Sith that strolls on by and be tortured, just like Carth once said, to their teachings. And I was no Sith. I wouldn't become one of those murderers. They were worse than Mandalorians.

She stepped closer to me. "You're afraid. Believe me, you don't need to fear the Force. Or the Jedi. The Force has come to you for a reason."

I rubbed my head then stared out into the rainy night.

"Who said I was afraid?"

She pulled her hood up.

"There was no need for you to say anything. I've felt it..."

She stepped out into the rain, leaving me stunned behind her.

Because she was right.

I was afraid.

Who wouldn't be, really? An unknown power manifests itself out of nowhere for no reason and I'm just expected to go along with it? And the Council...they were treating me as if I had been born a Jedi—born to not fear whatever power was within me. They callously disregard my own emotions regarding this. Probably because they preached about having a lack of them in their little code.

Still amazed by Shan's accuracy, I returned to my dorm without getting lost. My bed, unfortunately, was not as comfortable as it had been before.

Bastila was able to see right through me. Again. I was getting tired of it. So tired that I began to drift off to sleep.

I soon realized why she was able to read my emotions so clearly.

And it was not good.

Not good at all.

Edit: Had to make a change to the "dream" mentioned in this chapter. This is due to deciding to change some character relationships/backstories around (in particular relating to Alek and the Exile). I'll explain my reasoning for this plot change a bit more at the end!