Chapter 12 – The Breath Before the Plunge
A young girl with sharp amber eyes and dark hair shivered as she approached the giant round archway. In her hands, a piece of phosphorescent crystal was held aloft. She squinted as she tried to read the inscription carved into the arch in the golden light emitted from the shard in her hand.
But it was no use.
The strange characters were so old that she could not even guess the culture. The girl could not recall seeing it earlier in other parts of her journey down through the mysterious caverns, nor had she observed it in the temple above. The archway also looked a lot cleaner than the dusty entrance atrium she had just made it through.
It did not help her nerves that the blackness before her was so deep that she could barely see beyond her crystal's sphere of light, which, though small, shone brighter the tighter she held it in her thin fingers.
Just how far had she delved in these caves?
She had no idea.
She could feel her stomach begin to growl.
She couldn't recall the last time she ate. The barbequed meat skewers she had eaten for lunch seemed almost a lifetime ago. Of course, she could manage for a little while on an empty stomach. But…but what if she was too deep down to ever reach the surface again?
What if there was no way ou-
NO!
The girl shook her head fiercely. No, this was the first sign of an exit that she had ever seen and she could not afford to skip over it just because she felt scared.
Sucking in a deep breath, the girl stepped through the archway and shrieked as her body plunged straight down with an even louder splash.
The sounds of something thrashing loudly in the watery darkness, echoed in the gloom of the cavern, occasionally punctuated by coughs and splutters for air. But what the girl feared most, was the icy cold that surrounded her.
She was amazed she hadn't frozen upon impact.
Acting on pure animal instinct, the girl did her best to paddle her legs beneath her and tread the water. She was glad to feel her limbs start to warm up as she continued to move. She had not made it this far to die of hypothermia.
"Where's the side? The side." She muttered looking around.
Luckily the crystal she had been using as a light had landed only a few feet away on a ledge illuminating a slab of stone…and a pair of heavily booted feet.
The girl looked up and gulped nervously.
"Kriff."
Night had fallen quickly, much to Obi-Wan Kenobi's surprise. He had kept himself so busy getting settled back in that he barely even noticed the sun setting in the Coruscant sky outside.
Qui-Gon had barely acknowledged his leaving their rooms, so focused on his worry for Anakin Skywalker and Una Crest's tests with the Jedi High Council along with Slyde.
The padawan might have been jealous of the extra attention the child and the bounty hunter were receiving had he not been so worried about the outcome himself.
After all, it was unheard of for two such Force Sensitives to be taken under the wing of the Jedi Order so late in life, even if young Anakin had a midichlorian count higher than that of the Order's oldest and most powerful master.
Obi-Wan sighed as he twisted around to perform the next slice in his Kata.
How was it that nearly every mission with his master turned into chaos?
Not even practising in the training rooms could clear his head today.
How many hours had he been here? He was all alone; the other Jedi having gone to bed a long time ago.
Or so he thought.
"Woah…"
Obi-Wan turned around and blinked in surprise at the sight of Anakin standing in the doorway.
Instinctively, Obi-Wan's eyes peeked upwards behind the child's back for the familiar brown robes and bearded face of his mentor. However, to the padawan's surprise, his master was nowhere to be seen.
Odd, the boy was usually attached to Qui-Gon's hip like a barnacle.
Seeing Obi-Wan's frown of confusion, Anakin's head dipped down subserviently as he mumbled:
"S-sorry sir. Sorry."
Sir?
Obi-Wan didn't know whether to laugh or blush with embarrassment at such a formal address. He may have been of age, but he was not THAT old. He was glad Una had not been here to hear it. He had a feeling he would never hear the end of her teasing.
"It's alright Anakin. I was just about to finish up here anyway" Obi-Wan sighed as he turned off his lightsabre and strode over to the boy. "Is everything alright? What are you doing up so late? Do you feel unwell-"
"N-no I'm not sick! I-I just couldn't sleep." The boy admitted sheepishly turning his face away. "Everything here is strange. I mean yeah, it's wizard and all. But…"
"But it's not the same as home." Obi-Wan finished solemnly. "I understand."
"Yeah…"
And this was exactly what Obi-Wan had tried to tell his master. No matter how much they tried to train the boy, he would never consider the temple his home. He loved his mother too much, and the longing would only get worse the further he strayed. It was only bound to get worse should the Council refuse to train him.
However, what was done, was done, and whatever Obi-Wan thought of the situation, he would never be unkind to the boy. After all, it was not his fault he was put into this difficult situation.
"Does Master Qui-Gon know you're here?"
"I…uh…" Anakin's big blue eyes darted to the floor guiltily.
"I'll take it as a no then?" Obi-Wan quirked an amused brow. "So why are you out exploring so late?"
"I…I wanted to find Una, but she wasn't in her room." Anakin mumbled; eyes still glued to the floor. "I…I wanted to ask her if…no it's stupid." Anakin turned his face away, ears cheeks flushed deep red with embarrassment.
"You want to sleep next to her again tonight?" Obi-Wan finished softly as he looked the boy over "You'd rather her company than Master Qui-Gon's?"
"Yeah! I-I mean…um…Mister Qui-Gon is nice b-but…but…" he trailed off, but Obi-Wan did not need to hear the rest.
Hmm, it makes sense he'd want to be close to Una seeing as he's been raised by a single mother. Perhaps a female Jedi master might suit him better if the Council admit him into the Order.
Obi-Wan stroked his chin thoughtfully, only to blink as he noticed Anakin staring back up at him in wonder.
However, as soon as the boy met his gaze, he was quick to look back down at his toes and murmured.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause any trouble."
Obi-Wan's chest stung a little at the sight. The boy was usually such a mass of bright, cheerful energy. To see him look so small and scared was almost heartbreaking.
"You…you are not in trouble Anakin." Obi-Wan coughed. "However, next time you wish to explore you should let Master Qui-Gon or Slyde or myself know beforehand. That way, even if you do get lost one of us will know to come find you. Now come, it's getting late, and you need your sleep. I'm sure Una will be back soon since she's also had a long day."
"I'm not getting punished?" Despite his fear, Anakin chanced a peek up at Obi-Wan who startled slightly as he made to pick up his brown outer robes from the outside of the sparring ring.
"Punished, why would you be punished? You simply made a small error in judgement. That's hardly a reason to punish someone."
Anakin looked very bewildered now. He had done something wrong that would have had Watto yelling and slapping him hard, but he hadn't gotten reprimanded for it?
Gently, Obi-Wan steered him back towards the direction of the door with a hand on his shoulder, keeping his eyes and ears pricked for signs of activity. After all, without his master around it was up to him to look after the boy and make sure he was safe. True, the Temple was perhaps one of the safest places for younglings in the galaxy, but to a newcomer, it was still quite intimidating.
"Mister Obi-Wan sir?" Anakin peered up at him curiously "Why are you still awake?"
"Me?" Obi-Wan's eyebrows rose in surprise at the question. "I guess I can't sleep either." He muttered, folding his arms into his robe sleeves as he and Anakin turned a corner "There is a lot going on, what with the Council and the situation with Naboo-"
"Mister Qui-Gon said the same thing." Anakin pouted worriedly as he mirrored Obi-Wan's stance "And Padme didn't say anything, but she was scared too. And Mister Slyde and Una look really worried all the time when they think I'm not looking."
"Yes, it is a very uh-difficult time for us all." Obi-Wan nodded awkwardly, noting how strange that children could be so intuitive and so naive at the same time. "But, do not worry. I am sure it will all be resolved peacefully soon enough."
"You really think so?" Anakin looked up hopefully and Obi-Wan nodded with a small smile.
"Of course."
So long as the Sith don't interfere again.
He finished in his head grimly, only to pause as he felt something grab at his sleeve.
He looked down in surprise and saw that Anakin was holding on tight to his robes, his small face unnaturally pale and his blue eyes wide.
"Anakin what's-" Obi-Wan started but stopped as a shiver of cold ran through him all the way from his scalp right down his spine and to his toes.
Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.
But no…this was the Jedi Temple. How could the dark side reach this far within such a sanctuary of light?
"Stay close to me," Obi-Wan muttered, gripping Anakin's hand in his own as he quietly led him through the corridors. As they moved, the cold only grew more intense as it pulsed through the air.
"Mister Obi-Wan, what's going on?" Anakin whispered as he and Obi-Wan paused around a corner.
They were very close to the Great Tree's courtyard. If they could cross it quietly, Obi-Wan thought, Anakin would be safe enough to find Qui-Gon on his own, or at the very least wait for him to arrive.
However, that plan was quickly blown, for when they approached the courtyard Anakin cried out:
"Una!"
"Anakin wait!" Obi-Wan was quick to grab Anakin before he could rush out into the open. As warily as a deer about to walk into an open meadow, the padawan kept his eyes fixed on the courtyard before him.
A young woman, with long black hair flecked with grey and a red leather jacket, was standing right before the great tree turning slowly to look at both young man and child.
"Una?" Anakin whispered softly, voice trembling.
Obi-Wan could not blame the boy for skittering behind him in alarm. She looked like a ghoul, bathed in the light of the pale moons above. Her dark hair and red jacket looked almost white and chalky, while her unblinking amber-coloured eyes, glimmered an eerie red thanks to the refraction. It did not help those tears streamed down her face in torrents without break.
"Mister Obi-Wan-" Anakin mumbled into Obi-Wan's robes "What's wrong with her?"
"I don't know Anakin. Una. Una! Are you alright?!" Obi-Wan called out and was surprised to find his own voice shaking as he stepped towards her, making sure to always keep his body in front of Anakin's.
But Una did not move.
Her eyes were wide with fear, seeing but unseeing as she stared at the two of them. Her body was trembling all over from head to toe.
"Una, it's me. It's Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Oh no. Not again. Obi-Wan gulped as he watched her take a step back from him. This was worse than her vision on Tatooine. She was so immersed she could no longer tell reality and hallucination apart.
It took all Obi-Wan had not to grimace in pity as he saw her stare at the steps that led down to where she stood.
Just what horrors was she seeing this time? Whatever it was, it must have been extremely sordid to warrant such a powerful response from the hardened woman.
Yet as Obi-Wan took another cautious step forward, a fallen leaf crunched under his boot.
Una's head whipped up to look at him again, and if the jedi thought she was scared before she was beyond terrified now.
"No…" She breathed. "No-no-no-no-no!" she scrambled back away from Obi-Wan and Anakin, her heel catching on a nearby tree root.
"UNA!" Anakin cried out as Una crashed backwards to the ground, her head hitting the stone floor hard before either child or Padawan could even touch her.
Obi-Wan swore softly under his breath as he knelt beside the woman. Her eyes were shut, but thankfully she was still breathing.
"Careful" he pulled back at Anakin's scruff before the boy could reach out and touch her. "Don't move her."
"Is she going to be okay?" Anakin asked tremulously as he watched the padawan turn gently turn her head over and inspect it.
"I do not know." Obi-Wan sighed. He had lost track of how many times he had said that over the past few days. So many unknowns, and so much confusion. When would things be clear?
"Just a small lump." He murmured to himself as he reached down to activate his wrist comm. "Master. Master Qui-Gon-"
"Padawan Kenobi!" a voice called, so suddenly and sharply in the night air that Obi-Wan on instinct shoved Anakin behind his arm. But it was quick to relax as he caught sight of a familiar tiny green figure with a walking stick.
"Master Yoda?!" Obi-Wan balked in surprise and alarm as the little green alien hobbled towards him and Anakin, his brown eyes gave as he looked Una's unconscious body up and down.
"Saw everything I did. Hmm…Vision she had; another it would seem." He hummed as he gently prodded her side with his stick. But Una did not move. "To the healers take you must Padawan Kenobi. From fall, bumped her head she did. Follow young Skywalker and I will."
His tone was so final, that neither Padawan, nor child argued even as the little green alien hobbled to his floating hoverchair that had been left at the top of the steps.
He was quick to be overtaken by Obi-Wan whose entire face was fraught with worry as he carried an unconscious Una in his arms, Anakin clinging to his robes in a desperate attempt to keep up.
Yoda paused as he carefully adjusted the acceleration of his hoverchair to match their swift speed, though he kept a few feet behind to watch the trio closely.
Una, though unconscious, was still in deep distress. There was sweat on her furrowed brow and tears staining her face. Obi-Wan, likewise, looked deeply troubled, but was doing his best to keep his worry in check even as he met a very scared Anakin's eye.
"She will be alright. The Temple Healers are very good. They will know what to do." The Padawan assured the boy quietly, though Yoda could sense his anxiety.
Of Una Crest physically recovering, Yoda had no doubt. However, the fact that a non-jedi Force Sensitive had endured three intense and hyper-real visions over the course of a few short days was nothing short of alarming.
True, many a Jedi from the early days of the Republic, Yoda included, would sit under the leaves of the Great Tree in the hopes it would guide them to a dream of the future. Only very few Jedi mystics ever achieved such feats, their prophecies now entombed in the bowls of the Temple Archives.
If the Force was trying to warn the light of the darkness's return, then why had the more powerful of Jedi not shared similar experiences. Why was the Force choosing to make itself known through a young inexperienced Bounty Hunter?
But no. Such thoughts bordered on arrogance. The Force must have had its reasons for bringing Una Crest to the Temple with Anakin Skywalker.
The diminutive old master remembered the way she had scoffed at the Council's stance on handling, or not handling, the Outer Rim territories. She was not just complaining for the sake of complaining.
She had seen life out there up close and personal from a very young age. She had seen the worst of the worst take power and keep it away from those that needed representation and the strength to enact true justice.
Yes, Yoda could see why the life of a Bounty Hunter would appeal so much to young Una Crest. It was a position that gave the woman much power of her fate and the ability to change things. And yet…Yoda did not sense any power-hungry tendencies from the woman whatsoever.
Most late bloomers in and out of the Jedi Order tended to get over excited and intoxicated by the promise of great power. And yet, while she was willing to learn the ways of the Force, Una Crest did not seem to want to push the boundaries of…well anything.
If anything, she seemed to view the Force simply as another tool on her belt, much like her blasters or vibro-knives.
Puzzle, this is. To the bottom of this, get, we must. Before the dark side.
"Another vision!? ANOTHER?"
"Slyde, calm down."
"I'm fine Qui! I just want to know what the hell is going on? Three visions in three days?! Each one more powerful than the last."
Slyde Crest was almost steaming from the ears as he fumed outside the doors to the private ward, his friend Qui-Gon Jinn holding him by the arm to keep him from storming inside.
"Slyde, you'll get kicked out if you continue to be loud." Qui-Gon hissed in equal frustration.
It made Anakin Skywalker very worried to hear both men sound so distressed, but he did not comment about it. Instead, he just curled tighter into Una's side in the medical bed, listening to her heartbeat as it steadied out beneath his ear.
He had been allowed to lay with her after the healer had discovered his presence soothed Una's extremely distressed state of mind, though no one was quite sure why. However, he was not about to complain. He did not want to leave her side for one second.
He did not know what was going on with her, but he knew he did not want her to wake up alone. He knew how scary nightmares could be, and always felt better waking up in his mother's arms.
Beside the bed in a chair, Obi-Wan sat keeping an eye on them both, arms folded as he listened to the growls turn into frantic whispers outside the door.
The padawan wondered if he would ever get the opportunity to sleep peacefully in his bed again, but the thought vanished as he caught sight of Una's eyes scrunching.
Anakin saw it too and he raised his head eagerly to watch as the hunter wrinkled her nose and her mouth start to move.
"A-Ani?" the whisper was no more than a breath, but it was more than enough to have Anakin's face light up with joy.
"Una! You're awake!" he cried out, flinging his arms around her and burying his face into her neck.
Obi-Wan was quick to reach her, quickly activating medical bed's remote to help elevate Una into a reclined sitting position.
"Thanks Junior." She mumbled, a small smile gracing her features as she gently curled an arm around Anakin and held him to her. Obi-Wan could feel her worry as her hand lightly patted the boy over as if checking for any injury. "Oh man my head. What happened? Feels like I got run over by a transporter." She grunted as her head twinged.
"You fainted in the courtyard and got a small concussion from the fall." Obi-Wan sighed with relief. At least she was not sounding so terrified like before. "The Healers have already checked you over and said you should be fine to leave sometime tomorrow. Though they advise you to not push yourself for a few days."
"Aghh! Bed rest. Great." Una rolled her eyes tiredly, but the Jedi padawan saw her melting back into her pillows as she began rubbing soothing circles into Anakin's trembling back. "It's okay Ani. It's okay. Everything's going to be okay now."
"A-are you sure?" Anakin looked up at her, his eyes wet with unshed tears of relief. "Y-you were-"
"I know Ani." Una whispered soothingly. "Sorry I gave you a fright. Whatever's going on it'll get better soon. I promise."
Obi-Wan however, was not so sure about that. Three bad visions over nearly four days? There had to be a reason, and the padawan was not sure it was a good one.
"Apart from the headache, how do you feel?" He asked, keeping his voice measured so as not to startle Anakin any further.
"Just woozy. But it's not too bad." Una said, and though her tone was casual, her tired eyes shot him a warning look above Anakin's head.
Obi-Wan sighed softly. So…it was a bad omen after all. Yoda and the council were not going to be happy-
He stopped quickly as he felt something warm touch his hand.
He looked down. Una's tanned fingers gently rested over the back of his pale knuckles. When he met her gaze he was surprised to find her smiling gratefully at him.
"Thanks y'know for carrying me again."
"It was no problem." Obi-Wan coughed, feeling his cheeks burn even as he tried his best to keep a neutral expression. "Though if it keeps happening, I'm afraid I might have to start charging you a fee for my services."
"Pay? For your services? Oh my Junior! I thought Jedi lived to serve the Republic. Unless of course you have some side-hustle that even your master is not aware of?" Una grinned as the Padawan's flush darkened to the shade of a beetroot.
"I assure you I do not have any sort of side-hustle." He pouted, sparing small glare for a chuckling Una who winced as she moved her head again.
"How long was I out?" she grunted.
"Only two hours." Obi-Wan sighed. "Slyde is outside with Qui-Gon and Master Yoda talking about your condition. They are most anxious to hear about your side of things."
"I bet they are." Una snorted.
"I see you're feeling a lot better already." A new voice spoke, and Obi-Wan quickly whipped his hand back to fold his arms over his chest. Ears still pink.
"Slyde." Una sighed with relief as the Deveronian stepped into the ward.
Through the door behind the hunter, she could see Qui-Gon quietly and gravely bidding goodbye to Master Yoda who gently floated away on his hover chair, his ears drooped with solemn thoughtfulness.
So…they know how bad it was huh? Damn.
Slyde was quick to reach out and pat her head soothingly.
"So you went to the tree huh?" he muttered and Una nodded, leaning into his familiar touch.
"Yeah. Needed some fresh air. How was I to know I'd start tripping as soon as I stepped outside." She trailed off with a heavy sigh.
"But you're feeling clearer now?" Slyde murmured softly and Una shrugged.
"I'm lucid if that's what you're wondering. As for my sanity, well, we both know that went out the window a long time ago."
Slyde chuckled, but his yellow eyes were sombre as he said:
"Did you meet anyone on your way to the tree?"
"Yeah…yeah I did." Una frowned rubbing her temple as her memories swam in her mind's eye like liquid in a lava lamp "Another one of your old chums. What was his name again? Tall guy, old, got a posh accent and beard. Came from-what was that planet again? Serenno?"
"Master Dooku?" Obi-Wan blinked in surprise. "He's here at the temple?"
"Who's Dooku?" Anakin frowned.
"My old mentor." Qui-Gon sighed as he finally entered the room. "I met him earlier today. He's quite concerned about the Trade Federation's movements."
"He does seem very on the ball politically." Una grunted, remembering all too well the older jedi master's brown eyes sharpening and hardening like blades. "He's not too fond of the Council either."
"Something he shares in common with his old apprentice." Slyde grinned, slapping said ex-apprentice on the shoulder.
"Oh I like the members of the council well enough. I merely disagree with them about a few certain points of interest." Qui-Gon sighed as he took his turn to look Una over. "You are sure you met no one else on your way to the tree?"
"No. Just him. Why?" Una's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"We just want to get a full picture of the events." Qui-Gon murmured, not quite meeting her eye as he reached down to pry Anakin off her chest. "You should get some rest. Come Anakin. We can come back and visit in the morning."
"No! I wanna stay with Una!" Anakin whined much to everyone's surprise. The boy was usually very obedient when it came to listening to Qui-Gon.
"And I would let you stay if I could Ani." Qui-Gon sighed tiredly. "However, the healers are requesting that we leave now so they can perform some more tests, and it would be wise to heed their expertise."
"But can't we just wait outside till they're-" Anakin stopped as Una put a gentle hand on top of his head.
"Ani, Old Man is right. It's best if we let the medics do their jobs. Also you do need to go to bed. You've got a big day ahead of you tomorrow, you'll need your sleep in a proper bed tonight."
"But-"
"How about a compromise." Slyde cut in smoothly. "Anakin can stay with you until he falls asleep, then one of us can carry him back to bed. That should be alright shouldn't it Qui?"
Obi-Wan had to suppress a small grin as he saw one of his the Deveronian's coppery hands wave oh-so-innocently in the air by his elbow, his mind sending out small soothing ripples in the force.
Sleep.
Fortunately for Obi-Wan, he was ready to brace himself from the impact of the force suggestion, though the young boy was not so lucky. At once his eyelids began to droop as he, sluggishly melted into Una's alarmed embrace.
"Don't panic Red." Slyde chuckled. "He's just asleep."
"Yes I can feel that." Una grunted as she tried to shift under Anakin's now dead weight. "A little help here."
"Don't worry, I've got him." Obi-Wan reached over to carefully extricate the boy from the hunter's body, holding him securely in his arms. "I will take him back to our quarters shall I master?" he looked at Qui-Gon, whose lips quirked upwards for a fraction of a second as he looked over the pair.
"That would be helpful. Thank you Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan nodded as he shifted Anakin into a more secure position against his body so that the boys head was curled into his shoulder.
"Pff! Junior really is a softy under all that annoying poshness ain't he?" Una snorted as soon as they were out the door.
"It does take him a while to warm up to people, but Obi-Wan has a good heart." Qui-Gon agreed fondly, though his expression was quick to shift to worry as he looked over Una once again. "Forgive me, I know you have just awoken but-"
"But you want to know what I saw." Una finished quietly and shivered "Honestly I wish I knew. It was so…dark…" she trailed off as she glanced at the doorway. "Your council buddies aren't joining us in here?"
"The healers only permit two visitors at a time." Slyde explained as he took Obi-Wan's vacated seat by her side. "That being said they'll probably summon you to another meeting after you are discharged so they can get your account of events."
"Oh goodie." Una rolled her eyes as Qui-Gon slid his hands into his sleeves.
"This new vision of yours…when did it start? Was it before or after you arrived at the tree with Master Dooku?"
"I…I guess it sorta started when I got there. Like when I first looked at the tree I felt…" Una gulped, raising a shaking hand and turning it around in front of her eyes. "It was like I could feel it. It was weird. I've seen so many trees, and I guess all of them are living things, but this one felt alive like you and me. As if it were breathing. Next thing I knew I was standing in front of the trunk and there was this gaping black hole and it was bleeding, and there was fire around me and dead bodies just lying about everywhere." She bit her lip. "I guess that's when I heard Junior and Anakin. But when I turned around to look for them there was this-this shadowy, person thing." She shuddered as the memory of those fiery, hellish pinpricks pierced through her memory. "It had a lightsabre. A blue one." She added when Slyde opened his mouth to ask. "I didn't see a face, but whoever it was, it was tall…and cold…just like that guy on Tatooine."
"As cold as him or colder?" Slyde's jaw was tense as he looked her up and down.
"Colder." Una nodded stiffly. "and human, not Zabrak."
"I thought you said you did not see a face?" Qui-Gon frowned and Una groaned.
"And I didn't alright. All I know is that it felt human. I don't know how I know, but I know. Call it the Force, call it my gut. I just know that this man – this thing – It wanted everything in this temple destroyed. It wanted all this gone…like it was hurting deeply, and it wanted us to feel it's pain." Her face fell into her hands as she tried sucking in a deep breath.
Slyde and Qui-Gon both looked at one another, the latter's lips thinning as he asked:
"You said there were dead bodies around you? Were there any faces you recognised amongst the fallen?"
Una shook her head as she rubbed her eyes. "No…but there were adults and younglings. It was…it was a bloodbath." She looked at Qui-Gon, her eyes wet but grimly determined to keep her cool. "That prophecy that you talked about at the Council. The one you said would bring balance to the Force…are you sure it's Anakin who's the chosen one?"
"I am sure yes." Qui-Gon nodded calmly, the only sign of his surprise a small flicker of his eyes.
"I know I'm going to sound like an idiot, but how are you sure?"
"I have made it a point of studying all the old prophecies on record here at the temple." Qui-Gon folded his arms "From what I can tell Anakin is passing all the markers required to fulfil the role described in this particular prophecy."
"Are you sure that's a good thing?" Una asked quietly.
"What do you mean?" Qui-Gon frowned confusedly.
"I mean…" Una gulped "are you sure Anakin bringing the Force to balance is a good thing? Or even the right thing?"
"Red what are you-" Slyde blinked in astonishment, but Una put a hand up to silence him.
"Look…maybe my brain really is still fried from whatever happened. But from where I'm standing bringing balance to the Force can mean two things. First, that there is a force of evil that Anakin has to rise up and defeat like some cheesy old folk tale. Or…" she sucked in a very deep breath to steady herself "or he could very well destroy the Jedi Order, or at least play a part in its destruction."
"What?" Qui-Gon's eyes widened in astonishment.
"You guys said so yourself, there are thousands of Jedi spread throughout the galaxy. And yet there are possibly only two Sith left trained in the dark side."
"Yes, but Jedi and Sith are not the only Force Wielders in the galaxy," Slyde said and Una nodded.
"Okay. But how many of the other force wielding cultures are there that deal purely with the Dark side? Are they less than the Jedi Order?"
"Ah…I get it." Slyde nodded solemnly, his gaze softening sadly as he looked back at the bewildered Qui-Gon. "I think what Red's trying to say here, is that Jedi Order are tipping the balance too far to the Light, and to bring back true balance to the force, the Force itself may seek to cull us down so that the dark is it's equal again."
"But that's-" Qui-Gon stopped quickly to steady himself before saying stiffly "You really think Anakin would become such a dark being as you saw in your vision? You truly believe that boy is capable of such monstrous actions?"
"Yes." Una said, so bluntly that Qui-Gon stiffened in shock. "And so are you, so am I, so are Junior and your buddies upstairs. Hell, I bet Padme has one heck of a dark streak inside her when push comes to shove. And let's not forget the Zabrak on Tattoine. He may be Sith now, but he probably wasn't always that way." She snorted with a grimace as she touched her injured shoulder. "Look I care about Ani, truly I do. He's a sweet kid, and I don't want anything bad to happen to him. But don't, hell, just don't put him on a goddamn pedestal. He's a human. He is just as flawed as the rest of us, he just hasn't had as much time for the world to see it. And not just the world. Take it from me, the hardest thing about growing up, wasn't being an ex-slave or learning how to be a hunter. It was learning to live with both the good and bad inside me. How do you think I became so adept at killing when I started as such a weak dreg? It wasn't all fun and games at the shooting range. I had to wade through a tonne of shit in my life to get there, and honestly, there were many times where I did not think I could get out on the other side. If Ani is going to be some chosen one he may have to face even harder choices in life than I did, and even with all the training you and this order can give him, facing his own demons could be the very thing destroys him…even more so than the Sith."
There was a silence as Qui-Gon stared at her, aghast.
He…he had never thought about it that way before. Or maybe he had but he was too afraid to do so. It was a gruesome theory, one that involved the deaths of many people he cared about, the destruction of his home and the corruption of an innocent child. Of course, he would rather not consider it an option, but…but Una had a point. He hated to admit it, but the young huntress was right.
Anyone could fall to the dark side. Qui-Gon himself had felt strongly drawn to the darkness when his beloved Tahl had died. And he had watched his old apprentice Xanatos succumb to its lure, as well as many other jedi. So why would it be surprising that Anakin's bright beacon of light had the potential to become a great force for evil?
"All the more reason he needs to be trained as a jedi." The older Jedi sighed as he pulled himself together. Yet when he met Una's gaze again she was still very worried. "You do not want Anakin to be the Chosen One?"
"It's not about what I want Old Man. It's about doing what's right for Ani." Una growled "I don't give a damn even if he is this Chosen One. Anakin is a free person. If he is going to bring balance to anything it ought to be because he has made the choice to do so of his own free will and not because some old geezer in the past had a vision. And even if Ani isn't this 'chosen one', it should not matter. He is still a kid that deserves just as much love and guidance as any other his age."
"And if I could not do that for him, would you help guide him, care for him and help his master train him?" Qui-Gon looked Una in the eye and was impressed to see her match his stare with a fierce one of her own as she said without thinking:
"Yes. I would."
"Red-" Slyde put a hand on Una's shoulder but her eyes blazed as she met his gaze.
"Slyde, I'm not talking out of my ass now. I mean what I say. I know being there for a kid is tough work. You did it for years for me. But Ani, he's like me. You know I could not turn my back on him even if I tried."
"No I don't think you could." Qui-Gon sighed as he sank back against the nearby wall "and for that I am glad. As much as I know I can train Anakin in the ways of the force, I could never truly understand the hardships he must have endured as a slave. If Anakin is to find peace and balance within himself, he will need more than just a master, he will need a friend who knows what he's been through. Someone who understands his pain in a way none of us Jedi could. Anakin is still young." He paused and sucked in a deep breath "There is still much time for him to learn the ways of the light. Speaking of which, it is getting rather late. I should be letting you rest."
And before either Slyde or Una could get a word in, the older Jedi swept out of the room.
"Wow. I really went and pissed him off this time huh?" Una whistled under her breath as the Jedi Master's footfalls got softer and softer in the distance.
"No, Qui's not angry." Slyde shook his head fondly as he reached out to stroke a hand over his adoptive daughter's head "Overwhelmed maybe, worried definitely. But not angry. The Prophecy he's talking about is one he has studied for years, back when we were both padawans. I don't think he's fully considered the possibility that it could mean something bad rather than good… till now."
"Well, sorry to burst his bubble, but life rarely goes how we want it to." Una rolled her eyes as she let herself melt into his familiar touch. "Look I care about Ani, and I don't want him to turn or get corrupted-"
"I know you don't Red."
"-but that does not mean we should not be prepared for the worst. Anyone can go dark if pushed the wrong way. And can you imagine how much pressure will be on his shoulders if he is this so-called Chosen One in this prophecy? Anyone would crack. And he's still just a bub." She glanced down at the sheets beneath her hands.
"I know." Slyde agreed grimly. "But like you said no one is ever purely just dark. Even the worst of beings have some light in them even if it is the smallest speck. After all, Dark cannot exist without the Light nor the Light without the dark. Or so Master Yaddle once said."
"I like her." Una hummed softly "She was one of the few that took accountability when I spoke to the council. Not sure about Yoda though."
"It's the stare isn't it?" Slyde chuckled. "Like a creepy puppet."
"Oh thank god it's not just me!" Una groaned as she turned her gaze up to the ceiling.
"Why the hell am I getting these visions?" she muttered bitterly. "Why is it me? Why not an actual Jedi?"
"I don't know Una." Slyde murmured sadly "I wish I could say why, but I can't. Maybe you're just more open-minded? Maybe it's genetic. Who can say."
"Genetic?" Una quirked a brow. "Like, being a Jedi can be passed down. It's not just some random luck of the draw?"
"It's a mixture of both." Slyde muttered, "While a majority of Force Sensitives are random, Force Sensitivity has been known to be a trait passed down in families." He paused stroking his chin. "If your birth family had known Force Sensitives in the family tree, they could be registered in the Jedi Archives."
"You mean…?" Una gulped but quickly shook her head. "No. Even if it is genetic, I don't think the Council will take too kindly to an outsider like me poking around their archives."
"I don't think we'll have to resort to that Una." Slyde chuckled. "The Council want answers too. There haven't been true clairvoyants in the Temple for a very long time. I'm just surprised it took so long for these visions of yours to start."
"...A sensor." Una bit her lip.
"What?" Slyde frowned.
"Maybe clairvoyants are like a sensor." She said slowly. "They're fully equipped but won't be triggered until they pick up whatever they're tuned to sense."
"Could be." Slyde stroked his chin thoughtfully. "In the old days, there was far more conflict. Jedi gifted with clairvoyancy were probably on high alert all the time and they were attuned to more triggers around them, so they would be more susceptible to visions. But the Jedi have lived in peace for so long and you've never been exposed to those triggers till now…"
There was a silence as both hunters stared at the ward's door, faces grim.
"They're not going to let Ani join the Order are they?" Una murmured.
"Though I hope they do, I personally do not think so, no." Slyde admitted. "His age and his attachment to his mother and Qui-Gon weigh heavily against his favour."
"And his attachment to me." Una sighed ruefully, snorting as Slyde looked at her astonished. "Right before his test I tried my best to comfort him, and they saw it. The Council. If anything would botch up his chances it might have been that."
"No. Don't blame yourself Red." Slyde reached out and patted her shoulder comfortingly. "And don't feel guilty. You did the right thing. You gave a scared little boy comfort and security when he needed it most. If the Order cannot recognise that sort of compassion for what it was then it truly has fallen to the dogs." He added bitterly.
"Well, I don't know how high or low I'd rate the Jedi, but I still don't get the whole no attachment thing, especially with Ani's mother." Una grumbled "All of us normal kids are attached to our parents at some point in our life, but most of us learn to somehow let go and be independent. It may take a while, but we get there eventually."
"True, true" Slyde pinched the bridge of his nose and yawned.
"Sorry." Una grimaced "You probably want to get to bed. Huh?"
"It's okay." Slyde waved her off "I can sleep here in the chair."
"Nope! You do that and you'll throw out your back again."
"Red-" he whined but Una was having none of it.
"Just go to bed geezer, I'll be fine. "
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. Besides I get the feeling those healers are going to be keeping a very close eye on me. Also, Old Man, Junior and Ani are going to need all the support they can get. If what I've seen so far is any indication then something big is on its way, and we need to hold tight if we're going to see it through."
"I fear you may be right about that Red." Slyde nodded solemnly as he patted her shoulder bracingly. "You've got your com on you?"
"Always." Una nodded raising her wrist. "Now go on. I'll be fine."
Una watched as her old mentor slowly stalked out of the room, his shoulders tense and his head bowed with worry.
"Kriffing hell." She moaned softly as the door shut, wiping the moisture from the corner of her eye.
A clairvoyant? Her? Now she had seen everything.
She rolled her eyes to herself at the terrible joke.
When oh when did so many things start going to hell? Was it when Una had the bright idea to blackmail the Trade Feds? Or had it started a lot earlier and she hadn't noticed?
She knew it had to be the latter. All her past experiences with precognition were proof enough that she could use the force, however, like most people in the galaxy, she had thought that only Jedi plucked from the Inner and Middle rims were worthy of using the force.
Worthy? Tch! Una scoffed to herself. That was the old little ex-slave in her talking again.
And yet that still did not answer the questions swirling in her head.
Why weren't there many force users in the outer rim?
Were they all killed off before they could present? Or were the Jedi just not looking hard enough because they feared ruffling the Hutts feathers? After all, Una had not realised that she was Force Sensitive for all these years even with the signs in front of her…
Some force wielders might have hidden their powers for their safety…or their gain. If Slyde was telling the truth and the Sith were not the only malevolent Force Users out there then it stood to reason that any vile scumbag with the Force would keep those cards close to their chests.
And speaking of Force wielders in hiding, hadn't Count Dooku been to Nal Hutta as well years ago? An odd choice for the Jedi to send out as he screamed posh elite, but he had somehow managed to survive the Hutts. And Slyde was more refined than the average bantha and he somehow managed to keep his Jedi heritage under wraps despite his reputation amongst the various guilds and cartels.
A pinging noise pierced through Una's skull and she rolled her head to look at her bedside table. On it, her comm unit was flashing on and off as a call came through.
Una knew she probably should have let it go to her inbox of messages to rest, but curiosity got the better of her. Before she could even think she had reached for the device and answered it.
"Hello?"
"H-hello? Una?" a feminine whisper crackled to life in Una's palm. A very familiar young feminine whisper.
"Ah, your highness. Burning the midnight oil are we?" Una smirked, almost imagining she could see young Padme on the other end fidget and chew her lip anxiously.
"Y-yes well…I…forgive me. I know it is very late and you must be tired after meeting with the Jedi High Council…but I really…I…I…I'm so sorry."
Una stared at her comm as the apology warped into a gurgling sniffle. Okay…this was not what she had expected…Then again when had anything gone right today?
"Uh…Padme…are you okay? Did something happen? Where are you?" Ignoring her body's protests Una felt her body shoot right up into a sitting position, eyes darting around the room for her effects.
"I'm…I'm fine. I'm safe. Senator Palpatine has been very gracious and hospitable." Padme sniffled as she did her best to gather herself on the other end. "I'm sorry, I just…It's just…today has been…I'm sorry."
"It's okay kid. It's okay. Take a deep breath. It's been a weird day for all of us." Una muttered soothingly, her chest clenching with pity as she sank back into her pillows. It did not sound like the girl was in trouble, just overwhelmed.
"Let me guess, the Senate's chosen to fart-arse around instead of solving the problem?" She didn't need to be a Jedi to know that Senate had most likely shattered the poor Naboo girl's dreams for peace and safety. Una had been wondering when the hammer would strike, though even she had to admit it was a cruel blow to the young queen's innocence at such a stressful time.
"…Yes…" Padme mumbled hoarsely "It was exactly like you said. None of the other systems even tried to help. They just bickered amongst themselves like children. And even when someone proposed a decision it just started another argument. To make matters worse I called for a vote of no confidence in Supreme Chancellor Valorum-"
"You what?" Una froze. Ah…shit. This was not good at all. Una may not have known much about the Republic Senate; however, she had seen enough criminal cartels rise and fall to know that a coup for the top seat often meant infighting took precedence over maintaining the power base and solving problems.
With the Chancellorship up for grabs, Naboo would be lucky if the Senate even paid even a fraction of a second towards its plight. Hell, forget that, by the time the Senate had found its bearings the Trade Federation would have the planet under complete and utter control through a legally binding contract.
Just what had Padme been thinking? Then again she was young and inexperienced in major galactic politics. She must have been following the advice of her planet's delegates…and yet, if the Coruscant Holo-net was anything to go by, Valorum had been a rather ineffectual Chancellor. This Blockade was a massive disaster that had happened on his watch. It was only a matter of time till he got ousted from the top job. And the Trade Federation had just provided his rivals a perfect opportunity to strike him down.
"We called for a Vote of No Confidence in Chancellor Valorum." Padme repeated, her voice less broken but still shuddering as she finally seemed to find some measure of composure. "Chancellor Palpatine said it was the only way we could assure the swiftest solution to our planet's survival. But even then, I'm not sure it will be enough."
"I see…"
So it was Senator Palpatine's idea was it? Why wasn't she surprised? Una grimaced, her lips curling as she remembered the man on the landing platform, his hand gently petting the top of Anakin's sandy head as he sneered back at her victoriously.
Snake. That was what she had thought then. A slithering, scheming, vile snake, waiting for the right moment to strike. And he had done so beautifully. He had seen the opening to slither up the ranks and he was taking it and running with it. Una would have been impressed with the man if his presence had not disgusted her straight down to her core.
But she could think about politics later, right now she had a sniffling teenage queen of a planet on the other end of her comm unit that needed a listening ear. Though why it had to be Una of all people…
First Anakin, then Qui-Gon and now Padme? Since when did I become the go-to Agony Aunt?
"So what do you plan to do now?" Una asked patiently, squashing down the grunt in her throat as her head decided to remind her of its throbbing ache. "The Senate is too busy to take care of the issue now."
"Yes they are…which is why I've decided to go back to Naboo" Padme cut across her with a small hiccup. "Me and my handmaids and all those that came with us. We're all going back."
"Wait-wait you're not going to give up now-" Una's nostrils flared but Padme cut across her, her voice now tinged with nerves.
"No…no I'm not going back to sign a treaty. I made a promise with my people to lead them and that's what I'm going to do."
"Ahh…" Una gulped oh-so-elegantly as the pieces came together in her mind. Padme was giving Old Qui-Gon a run for his money in the crazy ideas department. Well, Una supposed he had to pass the mantle on at some point, and against all odds the petite Naboo queen had proven to have some pretty solid balls on her.
"So you're going to take up arms against the Trade Feds? You and what army? Because those Nemoidians are not going to give up without a fight." Una quirked a brow, bracing herself for the argument about to come.
"Jar-Jar says that his people have an army."
"Oh." Una blinked. Okay that was not the answer she had expected, though, against all odds it did somewhat make sense. The Gungan's for all their apparent "primitiveness" did have military forces from what Una had seen of their city, and weren't they also at risk of extermination at the Trade Federation's hands?
"You believe they will fight with the Naboo. Enemy of my enemy kinda deal? I guess that could work if you play your cards right." Una muttered the last bit to herself.
"You and the Naboo form a symbiont circle. What happens to one of you will affect the other. You must understand this."
That was what Obi-Wan had said wasn't it? But it be enough for two old rivals to join forces against a greater evil?
"Yes. I have been talking with Jar-Jar about his people and their forces and I believe I might be able to bring them to our side. But that's not what I wanted to talk about" Padme coughed uncomfortably "…I've…I've been doing some thinking and…well firstly I must apologise. I realise that with everything that has been going on I have been very unfair in how I've treated you."
"Kid there's no need-" Una started but Padme cut across her again.
"But there is. Yes you did work for the Trade Federation before, but since we met you've been doing everything you can to help us even though you probably had better prospects elsewhere. You did right by me and my people, protected us from harm and for that you have my thanks and my deepest apologies for how I've treated you."
"You want my help taking the Trade Feds down." Una finished bluntly, eyes shutting as her brain pounded against her skull.
"What? H-How did you-" Padme spluttered and Una snorted.
"Eh I've been playing the game since I was smaller than you. I know when I'm getting buttered up for a job." Una chuckled softly as Padme tittered apologetically on the other end "Easy kid I'm not having a go at you. I don't hold a grudge against you for being pissed at me. I'd be too if I were in your shoes. So, come on, let's not beat around the bush. What do you need from me?"
"I…I was…" Padme gulped nervously "I was wondering if you could in addition to um…being a part of my protection unit…I was wondering if you could teach me to fight. Me and my handmaids." She added softly "I realised if I'm going to go back and engage the Trade Federation I may have to defend myself …only…I'm not…we're not…well…"
"You're not comfortable in combat situations?" Una finished patiently. "Yeah, that I figured. Let me guess you only know the bare bones?"
"Yes." Padme muttered her voice laced with embarrassment "When I first became Queen my handmaidens and I all went through basic training together and we were taught how to shoot and some basic self-defence. But beyond that none of us really have the experience. And Panaka, he'll be so busy helping me organise everything…" she paused to sigh sadly "I already let my people down by letting them be overrun by these invaders... I don't want to be a burden on anyone when we take it back".
"I understand." Una nodded sympathetically. Poor girl. So young but already so heavily burdened with responsibilities beyond what even most adults were capable of.
Just like Ani. Una sighed as she rolled her eyes to herself. Gods the galaxy really was a rotten place.
"When do you plan on leaving for Naboo?" She asked softly.
"Tomorrow evening." Padme mumbled. "If it were possible I would be leaving first thing tomorrow morning but the engineers said they still need more time for repairs."
"Probably for the best to leave in the evening. Give you more time to rest and get your bearings." Una sighed with relief "Also Slyde and I are waiting on news from the Jedi Council in the morning and between you and me those fogeys enjoy taking their time chatting."
"Oh yes that's right you are with the Jedi." Padme seemed to brighten up instantly "How's Ani. He seemed anxious when he left this morning."
"Ani's okay." Una lied, her gut broiling with guilt as she reached up to rub the lump at the back of her head. "He was a little nervous when he got here but he's gotten through that stupid test like I did and now we're just waiting for the results. You just missed him actually. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon took him to bed just before you called."
"That's good." Padme sighed with relief "I'm glad he's okay. And you of course." She added sheepishly "And what about your injuries? Did the Healers treat you well?"
"They did." Una grunted as she shuffled down in her bed. "I'll say one thing for the Jedi, they've got superb healthcare. If it weren't for the stiff robes and strict rules I might have considered a career change."
Una was pleased when she heard Padme manage a small chuckle on her end.
"That's good. I'm glad. Forgive me. You've had a long day and you must be tired." The young queen tittered. "Would it be alright if I called you tomorrow to discuss the terms of our, umm, arrangement."
"That sounds like a good plan." Una nodded. "Just message me when you're available to talk and I'll hop on it. Rest well, your Highness."
"You too Una. Rest well."
There was a small beep and the comm link blinked off.
Una grimaced as she turned her device off on her end and set it back on the side table.
What a truly weird day this was turning out to be.
And it's only about to get weirder. Una thought as she glanced at the closed ward door.
Was it her imagination or could she feel someone else behind it?
Her question was answered for her when she heard someone talking outside.
Quietly she lay back down on her bed, concentrating as hard as she could on the voice.
It was hard to discern what it was saying, but she was sure it was Slyde speaking on the other side. Yes, she was sure it was him, she knew that voice anywhere.
Why the hell is Slyde still outside? I told him to go to bed.
Yet even as she glanced to her bedside she sighed as she caught sight of Slyde's comm unit beside hers as it finished powering down.
Leaving his precious comm behind? Damn he must be worried. Una thought, her guilt quickly replaced with curiosity as a second voice grunted in response to a few muffled words.
Una could not place its origin, but it felt oddly familiar. It was not Qui-Gon, nor Obi-Wan but she had heard it before recently…but where?
"So, your daughter truly is a clairvoyant." Mace Windu stroked his chin solemnly, brown eyes glancing concernedly at the Deveronian beside him who sighed heavily with weariness.
"Yes, it would appear so."
"And it has only been since she has made contact with Jinn and Kenobi that she has started having these visions."
"As far as I know, yes," Slyde muttered, grimacing as Windu shot him a dark frown. "Look, I know Una can be a bit rough around the edges, but when it comes to stuff like this she's always been quiet. If she felt like she needed to keep that sort of information from me then she has a right to do so. She is a free person," He added sternly when Windu's eyes narrowed.
"I see." The Jedi Master grunted, folding his arms in his sleeves "I take it that you have decided to teach her the ways of the Force, with or without the Council's permission."
"I don't see why I ever needed your permission in the first place." Slyde quirked a smug brow "I am not a Jedi anymore, remember? The High Council has no jurisdiction over what I or my daughter do, nor can they gatekeep who can and who cannot wield the Force."
"It is not gatekeeping if it maintains peace and harmony." Mace bristled slightly. "Though I will admit, I think you training her is our best option moving forward. Especially with what has been brought to light tonight. The Order hasn't seen a true clairvoyant in decades apart from Master Yoda, and it has been years since he last saw a vision of this magnitude. If the Sith has returned then we cannot afford to let Miss Crest's abilities fall into the hands of someone entrenched in the dark side. Since we cannot accept her being a Jedi in an official capacity, it would be best if she were to train with someone the Order can trust."
"And what of the boy? What is his fate?" Slyde asked quietly.
"On his fate, the council remains divided," Windu admitted bitterly. "Yes he is powerful but his age and his attachments to his mother, Qui-Gon and even your daughter are very problematic."
"Only if you believe them to be so," Slyde grunted.
Windu's lips hardened into a thin line.
"If you have any thoughts about the situation then I'd very much appreciate it, if only to help find an end to this stalemate."
"Oh, there is much I'd like to say Mace. Though I am concerned whether you or the Council are ready to hear it." Slyde snorted with faint amusement.
"Well, I cannot speak for the rest of the Council, but I assure you that as an old friend I will endeavour to keep an open mind." Windu clipped waspishly, back straightening up haughtily.
Slyde paused for a few seconds, not only to consider his next words but because it was rather entertaining to see the vein in the Jedi Master's forehead twitch ever so slightly with annoyance. Ah, Mace, even after all these years he was still so easy to tease.
But still, this was a grave issue, and he had to give it the seriousness it was due.
"I believe," Slyde said softly, arms folding to match Windu's stance. "I believe the boy's age and his attachment to his mother are not the real problem here, but rather, because the Order has forgotten what it's like outside our way of thinking and our way of life, and it has allowed itself to become arrogant."
Windu's glare was hard, and he looked ready to argue, but impressively he held his cool as he silently nodded for the ex-jedi to continue.
"I was talking with Una just now and she said something rather interesting," Slyde continued, keeping his voice measured and careful. "She said that normal kids outside the Jedi Order are attached to their parents at some point, but most of them find a way to become independent of their parental figures in their own time. Normal children, Mace. As in non-Jedi children. We are NOT normal. We may be comfortable in the way we live here at the temple, but our sheltered way of life is NOT normal by the standards of the rest of the galaxy. And in our place of privilege and safety, we have forgotten that and in doing so we have become less compassionate and empathetic towards our fellowman. You judge a boy unworthy of being a Jedi because he is attached to his mother due to circumstances outside his control, without considering that there may be alternative methods to overcoming such issues during his training."
"It's not that we haven't considered alternatives," Windu's clipped through pursed lips, his entire body as tense as a bowstring. "However, if we start bending the rules for one individual child then we risk-"
"Risk what Mace?" Slyde groaned, "Order being disrupted? If showing one child understanding and kindness is enough to break the foundations of the Jedi Order then perhaps it deserves to be broken."
"What exactly are you getting at Slyde?" Mace snapped, and though he kept his voice down, all pretence of calm and serenity was gone from his face.
"Don't play dumb Mace, you know exactly what I'm saying." Slyde rolled his eyes. "The Order is stagnant and complacent. We have become- Do you remember what Master Darya used to say to us about the Stone in the Water? The unfeeling, hard stone that refuses to move always crumbles-"
"-when faced with the ever-changing water." Mace grumbled with almost begrudging respect "Yes I remember." Then he sighed softly. "You believe we have become the stone."
"I don't believe it Mace. I can see it." Slyde shook his head. "and so does Una. The more I think about it the more it makes sense that she's the only one having these visions. Why would the Force reach out to us Jedi when we've ignored the warning signs it's been sending us for such a long time?"
There was a silence as Mace nodded thoughtfully, his gaze drifting to the door behind Slyde's back.
"You truly trust your daughter's judgement that much?"
"I do." Slyde nodded firmly. "She might be untrained in the ways of the Force, but she has worked hard to earn its trust. That must count for something."
"Then I will share your views with the council." the Jedi master sighed heavily. "I wish I could disagree with you, but I hear the truth in your words Slyde, and I feel it in the Force. Whether the rest of the council will accept your wisdom is another matter entirely, but I will do my best to help them listen to your wisdom and judge it fairly."
"Thank you, Mace." Slyde smiled in relief
"Don't thank me just yet," Mace muttered, his stance relaxing slightly, the corners of his mouth twitching into a slight smirk. "It may take a while for the Council to agree on Skywalkers training, but you and your daughter still have a long road to travel. And we have no idea where that path might take the two of you."
"Ah, but my good fellow," Slyde's grin widened cheekily as he clapped his fellow Jedi on the shoulder, "Not knowing the destination is half the fun!"
"A clairvoyant? Are you sure?"
"Yes my master. It would appear so. Una Crest is not only a Force Sensitive but has been receiving visions from the Force. Not just any visions, but sights from a possible future."
"I see…and what do you know about these visions?"
"Not much. Only that these visions are a recent development. According to the Council Meeting transcripts, they began a few days ago while she was stranded on Tatooine with the Jedi and the Queen of Naboo. Before that, she only had flashes of precognition, but, from my experience, such things would not be out of the ordinary for such an untrained individual of her age."
"Hmm…Tatooine…just like the boy. This is most interesting news. I wonder…"
"Master?"
"…This most recent vision Una Crest had…what can you tell me of it? After all, it was you who exposed her to the Great Tree was it not?"
"I did. But I was called away on business elsewhere, so I was unable to bear witness to the hunter's most recent vision. I tried to ask my old Padawan after he visited her in the Healer's Wing, but he is unwilling to disclose anything to me at present. Perhaps in time, I may be able to pry the information from him, however, from what little he has shared, I can tell it has distressed him greatly."
"I must know what she saw! There has not been a true clairvoyant for decades! The Jedi have failed to secure a stable future for the galaxy. If they lock away this great power then everything we have worked hard for will be all for naught!"
"I understand master. but I do not think we need to worry about the Order locking Una Crest away. From what I have gathered, the Council wish to let her train in the ways of the Force with her adoptive father and not imprison her in their halls. Not yet, at any rate. The way I see it, they are mortally afraid to lose such a valuable asset and so are willing to bend the rules in exchange for being allowed to monitor her closely."
"A cunning move to be sure, but a fortunate one for us. Would Slyde Crest be willing to let others aid in his mentoring?"
"You wish for me to ingratiate myself with him and his daughter?"
"Yes. Though he has returned to the temple Slyde Crest is still an outcast. He will need alliances outside of the Order if he wishes to further her training without their resources. You are in a prime position to do that being the old master of his best friend. He will trust you."
"He may trust me, but his daughter may not. She is an intelligent creature, observant and wary of outsiders. Her clairvoyance might also warn her against me."
"Perhaps. But clairvoyant or not she is still human. I am sure a master of your experience who has taught so many pupils will be able to find the right levers to pull her into line. So long as they are pulled in the right direction."
"Of course Master. I shall do what I must."
"Excellent. I have high hopes for your success my apprentice. Very high hopes indeed."
"I will not fail you master."
Count Dooku, sighed as the hooded figure on the encrypted holo-transmission flickered off running a hand over his bearded face.
It was truly a strange night.
A bounty hunter from the backwaters of the Outer Rim… was a Force Clairvoyant… and not just any clairvoyant…
Dooku's brown eyes hardened as he flicked through the files on a holo-pad and pulled up two viewports side by side in a split screen.
In one of them, he could see the live feed from the Healer's Wards of Una Crest lying in bed, tired but too distressed to fall asleep. On the other window, was an old image of a couple happily standing side by side on an ornate balcony as the sun above shone on them and the vivid green forest behind them.
There was a young man, pale skinned with catlike amber brown eyes and a strong jaw and noble brow, standing alongside a woman with a light tan complexion, an angular face and thick, long wavy dark hair that had been pulled back into several ornate braids all wound intricately together. Both were wearing rich ceremonial robes of dark green and silver with black Serennian cloaks clasped at the front by ornate silver chains embossed with their house crest on the buckles.
Dooku's heart softened sadly as he looked down at the smiling noblewoman's lightly swollen belly.
Twenty years ago, this picture had been taken. Twenty years in which the happy smiling couple had vanished from the face of the galaxy.
Despite being of noble blood and born into riches and wealth, they had been good people and wise rulers. The Galaxy was all the worse for their loss…as for their child…
The Count of Serenno's heart clenched painfully tight as his gaze drifted back to the live feed of the bounty hunter.
After all these years of searching…after all those years he had given up in despair, the Force had finally brought him a small sliver of hope for the future of his home planet and the galaxy. And here he was about to hand it over to the darkness.
But what else was he to do? The Jedi Council had proven many times they could not be trusted with the fate of the galaxy or its people. They had screwed up so often and suppressed so much for the sake of maintaining order that they had lost their way, and they had left him no choice but to turn to the darkness for help…and yet…yet he knew deep down he could not let the darkness win either. At least…not while his master was in charge.
If he, Dooku, were the master, then that would be different. He could do it. He could control both the dark and the light in balance. With his power, and hers combined, they could secure true peace and justice in the galaxy.
He just had to be patient and play his cards right.
"Forgive me, young one. But one day you will understand the weight that must be born if you are to have any true power in this galaxy."
And there we have it. Chapter 12 is finally up after several months.
So yeah, I think most of you can guess where Una gets the Force Sensitivity from. As for how this will change the events of the prequel trilogy, I'm not sure of that myself. Don't get me wrong, I have a rough plan for how I want it to go but I also like having a bit of freedom to let the characters and the story evolve naturally as I write.
I enjoyed writing that little snippet of Obi-Wan and baby Anakin at the beginning because we don't have any stuff animated or live-action about the two of them in the early days of their friendship. Don't get me wrong, I like the chemistry of Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor as fully grown bros, but after seeing Obi-Wan and little Leia's partnership in the Kenobi series, I feel kinda robbed that we don't have any big bro Obi-Wan and annoying little bro/padawan Ani. it has so much adorable potential. We only get the angsty falling out from the end of the Clone Wars.
I enjoyed adding sprinkles of tidbits from Legends Lore as well and will probably add in more as I go alongside some from Clone Wars so keep a sharp eye out for those ;)
Hope you guys enjoyed and please keep reviewing and faving/following for more.
Thanks,
FuzzyBeta