It had taken a day to find the ruins. Rain pounded on two figures who each stared down at the muddy ground. They were fuzzy, distorted—only the darkness was clear. The edges of the images were lined with cracks as if I was trying to break through a shell. Or a prison.

One of the figures, a bald tattooed man, frowned at the other. He held his hips and fear etched his face as he watched the ruins. I recognized him from the holonews. Malak. The other figure wore dark robes and a Mandalorian red mask. Revan. His gaze was unknown and hidden. Yet, I could sense it. His fear. A familiar fear.

Malak shook his head. "This is not a good idea. I already sense the dark side of the Force. What if we find something that we aren't meant to find, Revan?"

Revan opened the ancient door anyway. He peered inside tenderly before walking into the dark ruin and out of the rain. I followed—not out of my own volition. It was as if I was trapped in someone else's body.

Malak followed his Master. Revan's voice echoed in the hall and was distorted by the mask.

"Looks like we've already found it. If we were not meant to be here, I wouldn't have learned about this in the first place," Revan said.

"Still," Malak drifted off. "Is it worth the risk?"

Revan stopped as he studied the inside of the ruins. They were dark, no lights were inside and the grey clouds outside did very little to help me see.

"So many have died already, Alek. If it's to win this war with as little casualties as possible, I'll risk everything." The mask's distortion jittered. "And if we can find the Star Forge then nothing will stop us."

"But we were told as Padawans to beware Sith artifacts. It's forbidden."

Revan chuckled—a deep troubled laugh. "Are you afraid of Sith ghosts meant to scare younglings? Come on. We've already defied the Council. Why should we stop there?"

"Revan."

But the Dark Lord didn't listen to Malak as he opened the next door. Blue Jedi lightsabers blazed to life and crashed down onto ancient droids. When the smoke cleared within the darkness, they stopped before a great door. Malak held his head as Revan paced with anxiety. At least...that's what I sensed. Doubted a dark Jedi would fear anything never mind these ruins.

I blinked when my eyesight turned red. Darth Malak eyed the door with disdain. The bald man seemed to meet my eyes despite me being a simple observer.

"Once we go through this door...we can never go back."

The dark stone pillar opened and calm blue lights shimmered and reflected off the ancient stones. The light was so brilliant that I turned away. Gray eyes stared deeply into mine. Bastila—what is she doing here—stood behind the opened door. Terror marked her face. Terror of my own bled through my mind.

"What—?"

The first thing I noticed was that I was being rained on.

The second...I was not in bed.

My breaths were short when my eyes shot open. I was covered head to toe in sweat and rainwater. My feet had trampled some poor soul's tulips. The Enclave walls rose above me. The rain clattered both against the steel of them and my soaked jacket.

Force...what was that?

My head pulsed with pain and I grew lightheaded. Then, as if I had been standing in a tunnel before, the sound of the rain became so clear and heavy that it felt like someone was slapping me again and again. Had I walked here in my sleep? That wasn't like me at all. I limped through the garden towards the mess hall. Perhaps these past few days were finally getting to me. The Jedi shot me strange looks as I passed through the halls. I mean, I did look like a homeless slob.

Bastila.

In that dream, it was as if she was actually standing there. How was that even possible? Even dream Bastila was beginning to invade my personal space. And out of all the things I could have dreamed of—hot Twi'lek dancers, another massage, or maybe even Deralia—I had to dream about Revan. Again. What would psychologists from Coruscant say about me? Probably that I had to be locked up in a mental institute. Or that I had some deep-seated desires to kiss a Hutt while parading around in a tramp suit.

And no, I did not have deep-seated desires to kiss a Hutt while parading around in a tramp suit.

The mess hall was filled with Jedi eating breakfast. They talked amongst themselves—so quiet despite there being at least thirty crowding the room. I stomped to the food line and grabbed some fruit. As if that could deny what just happened to me. I bumped into someone as I went to leave. That someone happened to be Mission.

"Wessy! Um...good morning. You look like—well—really unwell."

I took a quick bite of the Dantooine pear I swiped.

"I'm fine. Fine and dandy. Why wouldn't I be?"

The Twi'lek frowned, but I didn't give her the chance to respond as I stormed away.

To where? To find Bastila. These dreams were not normal and I needed answers. And, for some reason, I felt like only Bastila would have them.

The rain was actually light. My mind must have made it seem louder than it was. I headed to the North dorm rooms in search of the Jedi before someone called out to me. Carth jogged up with a raised hand.

He hesitated when he saw me. "First Bastila and now you. You look like something happened. Are you alright?"

I snorted. Why would he care? And was that any of his business? I tried to move around but he stopped me with an extended hand on my shoulder. "Wait a sec, where is your crutch?"

Strangely, I wasn't pained by my leg anymore. I still haven't checked myself into the med bay and wouldn't until I got answers. I brushed him away.

"In my room. Where else?"

He stopped me again.

"Wait, just...hold on. Bastila told me to find you as soon as you woke up. The Council wants to see you. Immediately. She said that it was urgent."

Wonderful. As if this day couldn't get any worse. If I had to go see the damn Council again in order to find Bastila, it was better than running around like a lunatic. Although, I think I already was a lunatic. I stunk like a Gamorrean hog that bathed in warm mud in Tatooine. The Jedi already thought I was a fool. What would they think if they saw me like this?

The soldier gave me a look. "Why would they want to see you?"

I ignored that question and passed Carth towards the Jedi Temple. He called out to me as I left but I ignored him. I memorized the twists and turns that led me to the Temple from last night. When I arrived, dripping onto the concrete floors of the foyer, voices echoed from the larger hall beyond. I followed those voices into the Council chambers.

The four Masters along with some holo figures peered down at the Jedi before them. Oh, great, so they called the rest of the Council today out of all days. And I hadn't even taken a shower. This will end well.

Bastila was speaking when I entered the hall. None of the Jedi Masters noticed as I stormed towards them.

"—saw me in the dream. It was—"

She stopped in horror when I limped to her side. The Master Jedi that I didn't meet before all narrowed their eyes when they finally saw me beside the Battle Meditator. A pale lady in the holoimage rolled her eyes.

"Speaking of the devil."

Vandar placated the woman—an Echani—with a small hand. "Atris, we've discussed this before."

Besides Atris, there were four other holo Jedi making the total number of Master Jedi present at nine. The Echani woman huffed then crossed her arms. I crossed my own arms and they squeezed from the rain. I was still sopping wet from the outside forces of the planet and was shivering. My hair stuck to my face like Bastila's had.

Master Zhar gave me a look. He sat up in his uncomfortable-looking chair. "There has been a most...unusual development. Bastila has claimed that both you and she shared a dream. A vision of the two Sith Lords Revan and Malak here on Dantooine, scouring the ruins in search of something."

Oh, so it was worse than I thought.

Why me? Why couldn't this have happened on a better day? Or maybe to someone else?

The holoimage of a bald man with an interesting mustache flickered as he sat back in whatever seat he sat in Coruscant.

"Why would they want to visit these ruins? Did this happen during the Mandalorian Wars? If so, was this the cause of their fall or was it something...else?"

Vrook snorted. "Nothing except their own arrogance and pride was the cause of their fall to the dark side, Zez-Kai."

"Of course, Vrook, but I've been starting to wonder if we were wrong about this. The Exile—"

Vandar tapped a cane that he had—quieting the Council like a gavel.

"We are here to discuss what happened in these two young ones' dream and why they shared such a dream to begin with. We were not called to dwell in the past. That will lead us nowhere—"

"Alright, alright! Hold up!"

Everyone turned to stare at me. I hesitated when the entire Council watched me from their high chairs.

Still, I continued. "Am I the only one going crazy here? How the hell did Bastila climb into my dreams? I actually enjoy my own privacy, thank you very much. Sorry if that's a little too much for me to ask."

Bastila stood from her knelt position. She glared at me.

"Your dreams?"

I glared back.

"Who else's?"

She grew red along with the rest of the Council. Before she could retort, an old woman who looked well-respected among these weirdos, spoke with a calm voice.

"I understand why you are confused, young one. It is expected after all—you know nothing of the Force." The old woman leaned forward. "The reason why both you and Bastila have shared a dream is clear. A bond has forged between you."

The Echani, Atris, pointed at the old woman. "You don't know what you're saying, Master Nomi. A Force bond—"

"—takes years to forge, I know...I think everyone here knows."

Except for me. I'm still here. Hello?

Nomi continued. "The Force seems to be acting through you as it is Bastila, giving you these visions. This is...not normal."

I exhaled as I looked down. "So, I'm having crazy visions now? Of course that's not normal, damn it!"

Another Jedi, younger but very similar in appearance to Nomi, glared at me. "I do not like his tone. Has he already begun his path to the dark side?"

I frowned when she mentioned the dark side. Which inherently meant the Sith. And I was not like them. My caustic remarks notwithstanding. It was all done in jest after all. Don't tell me that these people didn't know how to take a joke?

Vandar stared down at me. "Anyone not trained in the ways of the Jedi would act as such, Master Vima. Let us not place doubt on someone who is ignorant of our ways."

At least this Vandar was understanding.

The final unknown Jedi Master sighed then leaned on her knees.

"We should still tread carefully. We don't know what he could do next."

I cocked an eyebrow. "You know what I want to do next? Go to the nearest cantina and forget this ever happened."

Most of them paused to stare at me. I looked away awkwardly. They really knew how to make a man feel uncomfortable.

Zhar's brow scrunched up. He looked just as stressed as I was. "We know, Master Vash." He addressed me next. "A Force bond is sometimes formed between Master and pupil over years. Rarely does one form between almost complete strangers."

That did sound a bit off. If these bonds took years to create then why was one manifesting itself? I knew next to nothing about Bastila. I couldn't tell them how old she was or her favorite food or hobby. If that's the type of relationship they were talking about.

Vandar frowned. "Whatever dangers you may face in the near future, the Force has called to both of you. What you will face...you may have to face together."

I leaned back to take the pain away from my leg. "What are you even rambling on about?"

The mustache man, Zez-Kai, leaned forward. The holo flickered again. "What Master Vandar is saying is that this bond was forged in order to stop the coming darkness of Malak's Sith army. Together, you and Bastila might be able to stop the collapse of the Republic."

Way to put the fate of the galaxy on my shoulders. Guess I had nothing better to do with my life than risk it in this Sith war. How could I stop Malak? I would have to be an idiot to think that the two of us could defeat the Sith.

Vrook narrowed his eyes. "But don't be tempted by your obvious lusts for glory and power. That can only lead to the dark side."

Who said that I wanted power and glory? And there was that warning again. Did he think I was deaf or something? I heard about the damn dark side the first time.

Master Dorak, who had been silent during this discussion, finally sat up.

"And there is still the question. Should we train him in the ways of the Force?"

Nomi smiled sadly at the old man. "I don't think we have much of a choice anymore, Master Dorak. His fate is tied to Bastila's now. The only safe path without hurting her as well would be to train him. If you want to put it to a vote, then put it to a vote. But that would be a waste of our time."

Vandar nodded his head, looking downcast. "I agree. We have no other choice."

All of the Council members agreed until Atris and Vrook remained. As they all agreed to train me in the ways of the Force, I could feel the world collapsing around me. Me, Wes Gale, ex-smuggler, who by all means thought the Jedi were weirdos that liked to meditate like droids, was being forced to join them. And joining the Jedi was a lifetime agreement. A lifetime that I didn't want to throw away.

Now I know why I was so afraid. Forgetting all the wars and political strife that happened around me in a cantina drunk wouldn't be possible anymore. I couldn't take the coward's way out. Not when ignoring this issue would only make things worse.

Finally, after Nomi Sunrider took a few minutes to convince the Echani—Atris agreed to my training.

Which only left Vrook Lamar.

He glared at me. "Learning the ways of the Jedi will be long and difficult. Do you even have the patience?"

I felt myself shaking from what I hope wasn't fear.

"What if I don't want to learn the ways of the Jedi?"

Vima Sunrider interrupted me, her holoimage flickering. "You have little choice in the matter. Your bond with Bastila has forced our decision. Without proper training, you will fall, taking Bastila Shan with you. We cannot allow this to happen."

That didn't mean I had to like it. I rubbed my face again.

Okay...maybe they were right. Maybe the Jedi Council was right. Without training, I was going to go insane. If these dreams were Force residue...then I had to learn how to control them. At least for some peace of mind. Bastila looked at me with old worried gray eyes.

Becoming a Jedi would be the only way to save her. And the only way to save myself. I had nothing left anyway—not even credits.

"Since I have no choice, fine. I'll do it."

Vandar nodded. "Then we will send both you and Bastila to those ruins once we have deemed you ready."

I crossed my arms. "And we can't go now? I doubt Malak is going to wait around for us to swoop in and save the day if we just sit in here twiddling our thumbs."

Atris sneered past the blue of the holoimage.

"Lamar was right. There is no hope for him."

"No, it is a sensible question," Nomi replied. She gazed levelly at me. "The ancient ruins will be drowned in dark side energies. Without the proper protection, you will not be able to avoid the darkness within yourself."

"...within all of us," Vandar added.

Well, that plan fell short. And without their directions, I wouldn't be able to find those ruins anyway. So, I was stuck at the Enclave.

Most of the holo Council members took their leave after the decision was made until only Nomi and Atris were left.

The Echani took one final glare at me. "If you fall then I will kill you myself."

She flickered away with that lovely final statement. She had serious social issues. What did I ever do to her? Or Vrook? All I did was stand here and say a few words. Was that a crime now?

Nomi Sunrider stood. "I will leave who trains him up to you four."

Zhar bowed towards the Jedi Master. "I wish to train him myself. If only..." He smiled then shook his head. "It would be an honor."

Nomi smiled. "I expect to be updated on his progress. For now, I will take my leave."

The holoimage shut off and the room grew quiet with only four Jedi Masters in the hall.

I was supposedly a Jedi now.

Damn it. Just...damn it all.

I sat in the med bay, eyeing the Jedi healer who was frowning at my leg. There were many fractures, she told me, but since they were Jedi healing broken bones wouldn't be an issue. The healer sent strange energies into my leg then replaced the kolto bandage with a new one. The entire time I hadn't said a word—not one. The Jedi talk about destinies and all that crap, but what if I didn't have a destiny? At all. I would be happier with that.

I limped out, without a crutch, and decided to sit on the closest bench to stare at the rain. The four masters ordered me to get checked up here but they hadn't exactly told me what to do next. They were my guardians now after all. Had to listen to exactly what they told me to do without going off-script.

I sunk deeper into the bench then dug my hands inside my jacket pocket, pulling out my lucky coin. A Mandalorian coin—not a credit or anything like that. I still remember the day I got it. I was being transported around in a Mandalorian freighter. When I was rescued, I took it off the corpse of my kidnappers. It reminded me of what I once was and what I became.

Even now.

I used to enjoy my work as a smuggler. Despite having to run most of the time, along with being shot at often, I was free. But now I was trapped on that Mando freighter again.

The rain let up, a few sprinkles hit my nose and covered the metal coin. I shoved it back into my pocket and stood. I flinched in pain but only just as I limped towards the spaceport. A bad idea—I was still injured despite my own body not realizing it. The young Jedi watched me as I walked past them. This time they marveled instead of gawked at me. I assume that meant word has spread. An adult was training to become a Jedi.

Why couldn't we go to those ruins and get it over with? This dark side, light side thing...was dumb. The galaxy wasn't black and white like that. But, the Jedi seemed convinced. And now I was supposed to be.

There were a few ships beside the Ebon Hawk preparing to lift off. Some were civilian transporters from Coruscant while others brought in goods. The Hawk took up the most space and all of the repair droids swarmed it.

A Twi'lek stood by our ship with a datapad. Canderous looked as if he was going to crack the alien's neck at any time.

"What do you mean it'll cost 20,000 credits to repair this, you ingrate?" he shouted.

I gaped once I heard that ridiculous price. The Twi'lek tutted in response then looked away from his datapad. One of the repair droids floated up to him with another datapad that he shook his head at as well.

"The Jedi aren't great customers, Mandalorian. With Czerka putting their grubby little fingers on anything that walks and with this Sith war, how exactly am I going to earn a profit?" He shut his datapad off. "You can pay this off over time of course. I heard all about how this ship escaped Taris. Call it a...Jedi's mercy."

The Mandalorian's face grew darker than it already was. He grabbed the Twi'lek by the collar causing the droids around him to panic. The Mando bent closer to the poor shaking Twi'lek.

"And I call sparing your life a Jedi's mercy."

He dropped the Twi'lek and the droids all relaxing once he did so. I raised an eyebrow in his direction as he stormed towards me.

"I'm surprised you're still here," I said, looking at the Ebon Hawk. "I thought you were going to run off the next chance you got."

The Mando gave me that evil smirk as he walked past me. "Where would I go, pipsqueak?"

"Where does any surviving Mandalorian go but the Outer Rim to pillage poor ships and astromines?"

I quickened my limping in order to match Canderous' pace. He laughed darkly.

"You must be talking about the Fetts. No other clan but theirs would be so cowardly." He scratched his five o'clock shadow. "Where is the cantina?"

I smirked. "I don't think the Jedi like drinking. Emotions and all. You get them."

Even though I was a Jedi now. I had to stop referring to what I was in the third person. Wasn't sure how long that was going to take.

He cursed then marched to the Enclave's exit. I hesitated to follow him again.

"Where are you going, by the way?" I asked.

"I'm going to the nearest settlement to find a cantina. I need a drink. Maybe play a few rounds of pazaak."

My ears perked at the sound of the word "pazaak." That's what I'm talking about. A nice couple of drinks, a few rounds of pazaak, all to melt the stress of this day away. I'm sure these Jedi wouldn't care if I had a little fun before becoming a complete bore, right?

Wrong.

Canderous was quicker than I was due to my bad leg, so I wasn't surprised when the door closed behind him to leave the Enclave. What I was surprised by was the sound of the door locking.

Two sentry droids shuffled up to me with their blank faces. "The Council has ordered for you to remain on the Enclave until further notice. Unless there is an emergency, we cannot let you pass."

Are you fucking kidding me? What was this, an actual prison? First, it was the Endar Spire, then it was Taris, and now it's this Enclave? All I wanted was a drink!

They didn't trust me. These damn Jedi didn't trust me. Why didn't anyone trust me?

I seethed. "Well, this is an emergency. I want a kriffin' drink you pieces of shit."

The droid on the left beeped. "I'm sorry: a 'kriffin drink you pieces of shit' is not a viable danger."

"It will be if you don't let me leave."

I was a prisoner here just like I was on the Endar Spire and on Coruscant. These Jedi hadn't forgotten that I was a criminal. Of course. Why had I been so naive to think that all my crimes had been forgiven? I was tempted to kick the droid's bolts out with my uninjured leg. Before I could follow through, I was stopped by a raised voice. I turned and winced. Bastila. As if this day couldn't get...oh, right I already said that it couldn't get worse before and it got worse.

"I was looking for you."

Worry was written all over her face as she approached me.

I ignored the Jedi and kicked the droid exactly where a human's balls would be. Unfortunately, I got a nasty shock in return.

"Kriff!"

I hopped back in pain.

Bastila crossed her arms. "What did you expect would happen?"

I glared at her and limped away from the door. I knew that she would follow me eventually, so I continued until I got to the courtyard. The place swarmed with young Jedi practicing with sabers and cortosis weave blades. My peers. I found a bench and sat it in. A few Masters gave their students proud smiles at their achievements. Master Zhar was going to be my master now. I wasn't sure how I felt about that.

Bastila stood by the bench.

"I know that you feel trapped, but it's for your own good. And mine. The Sith—"

"You don't trust me. That's alright. I understand. Been arrested a few times. Makes sense."

"T-That's not—"

"Look. I'm not offended. Really. In fact, it's an honor. The Jedi think I'm dangerous. After all, I'm a criminal that gained Force powers and bonded with one of their best students overnight. Oh, and we're dreaming about Sith Lords—can't forget that minor detail. Who wouldn't be afraid of me? Hell, I'm afraid of me. So, thanks for the reminder."

Bastila stared up into the Dantooine sky with a sigh.

"You're being too hard on yourself. The Force—"

"—works in mysterious ways. Know that one too. Still doesn't convince me that this whole bond thing isn't weird. I for one don't like the idea of someone snooping around inside my mind."

"You think that I want to be bonded with you?" I raised an eyebrow at her. She crossed her arms. "Believe me, I certainly don't find the prospect of being joined to you enjoyable in any fashion."

"Well, I suppose that makes two of us," I said, waving a hand, leaving it at that.

She huffed.

"I didn't mean it like—what I meant to say is that I am not...comfortable being connected to another person. Especially to a...a stranger that is..." She cut herself off and a haughty expression appeared on her face again. "Since I am a Jedi, and you are, well, you know..."

I glared. "I'm what?"

"I don't want to explain."

I stood so that I could look down at her and crossed my arms.

"Go on. Explain."

"What is there to explain? You obviously think I insulted you. So go on, make your assumptions."

"I'm going to keep on making assumptions if you don't say what you mean, sunshine. And I can only assume you meant to say you aren't comfortable with being chained together to some dirty non-Jedi who doesn't have 'morals.'"

"No, that isn't—!"

"Alright, so I'll keep making assumptions until you tell me what you were actually going to say. And believe me, my assumptions are rarely incorrect. If I was anyone else, like another Jedi, you'd be a-okay with this bond thing, right? Here I thought Jedi were tolerant and forgiving, but you are a judgemental, stuck-up, pretentious, bit—" A blinding pain erupted below my injured calf. I bent over it like it had just fallen off. Her foot returned to the ground after that hard kick. How underhanded! "Now that was just—!"

But she stormed towards the mess hall where lunch was being prepared. My face turned another shade of red. Kriff...this woman was a contradiction. For her to have the audacity to hurt an injured man all while pretending to be on some moral high ground. What kind of Jedi was she? Because she wasn't a good one if that was how she acted. The Jedi Council thought their little savior was as light sided as the stars, but she unknowingly hates...well, me I guess.

Though lots of people hated me. Probably wasn't a good indicator of one's character...

"You don't look so well, Wessy. You were muttering 'ow' every time you took a step when you walked in here," Mission observed while holding her chin. "Did something happen?"

Zaalbar growled a similar observation. "You look a little burnt..."

After muttering underneath my breath again, I sat at the mess hall table beside them and released a held breath. I snatched something off of Zaalbar's plate and received a Wookiee glare in response.

I sighed. "I was burnt alright."

Carth sat up in the corner of my eye and I looked up from my staring contest with the table.

"I heard from Bastila that you're going to be trained as a Jedi. Is that true?" he asked.

I pursed my lips and chose to look up at the lighting fixtures. One was flickering. Interesting.

Mission tugged on my sleeve. "Really? A Jedi?" She gasped. "I thought newly initiated Jedi were...younger though."

"Whatever she said is true, unfortunately."

The pilot hummed. "So, that was why you were placed on the Endar Spire. It makes sense now."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Carth eyed me then lifted his fork to finish his meal. "I'm not one hundred percent certain about this—since Bastila didn't give me an answer—but why else would a smuggler like you be thrown in with the Jedi? Because they knew you were Force sensitive at the start."

Really? That would make some sense. After all, why would they let someone as strong in the Force as I was to rot in the Republic prisons? The Jedi were opportunists after all, at least from what I've seen of Bastila, and wouldn't waste my potential.

I think.

This is all based on how awesome my power actually was.

I gazed around the mess hall in search of Bastila but the Jedi was nowhere to be seen. She must have ducked out. I grabbed another bite off of Zaalbar's tray—echoed by another growl.

"If that's true then the Jedi must have been lying to me. Because, as Bastila said, I was placed on the Endar Spire for my language abilities. Not because I was strong in the Force. And...wasn't it the bond—?"

I stopped myself from speaking further. I didn't want to tell Carth anything about how I and the Jedi were somehow connected in the Force during the whole incident on Taris. At least, that was the only time that it could have happened. I thought that it was the bond between us that opened me up to the Force and that I hadn't been naturally dispositioned to it. Else I would have been discovered long ago, right?

"Wouldn't they have said something to me sooner?" I frowned. "I mean, why would they hide something like that?"

"Because you were a criminal? They were probably just testing the waters with you. Since you helped to rescue Bastila though, they felt like they could trust you."

My face broke out into a smile then a small chuckle. Kriff, I was starting to sound like the pilot. I did not want to become paranoid like him.

"Huh." I sat back. "So, this means they trust me? Really? Hadn't thought about it like that." For some reason, that pulled a weight off my shoulders. "So, the Endar Spire was like a test?"

"Sure. It's the only thing that makes sense." He sighed. "And I guess I...owe you an apology for suspecting you like that. Sorry."

I smiled.

"What was that? Didn't hear you."

"I'm. Sorry. Okay?" he said.

I jumped out of my seat ignoring the pain in my legs. I pointed at the pilot.

"You hear that fellow Jedi? Carth Onasi apologized! Let's give this soldier a round of applause."

But since these Jedi were no fun whatsoever, I was the only one clapping. I think Mission joined in briefly, but she stopped after a while. Meanwhile, Carth glared.

"You know what, why do I even bother?"

And he walked away, throwing out his trash.

I sat down glancing towards them with a smile on my face.

Mission's looked concerned. "Are you sure you're alright, Wes?" she asked. "Maybe you have a fever..."

And I just nodded my head since no words were really necessary. Sure, the Jedi probably still didn't trust me, really, but any shred of trust was better than nothing. It meant I was closer to achieving freedom. And that's all I really wanted, really.

We finished up in the mess hall and parted ways. Whether they would stick with me in my new prison was anyone's guess.

End of Episode I: Rise of the Neophyte