HELLO THERE! WELCOME TO CHAPTER 16!

I hope everyone had a merry Christmas and I wish a happy 2020 to all! Hope this year is fruitful and fulfilloign for all of you.

Apologies for the delay with this chapter. I went through a serious faze of writer's block mixed in with seasonal depression most likely. I took a break from writing for a couple days and that really helped. I feel I've got some mojo back!

I see this chapter as a bit of break from the high stakes action of past chapters, and to mark a pause before we get to the events of EPISODE V.

With that said I will answer comments and leave you with this new chapter, introducing characters many of you have long asked for. I know that in terms of timelines it probably doesn't make sense, but this is a fanfic, I am bound by no rules! Muhahahaha!

Alright, comments time:

- TaitanoRules555: Sorry but I can only write how I feel it. I try to include as much detail as possible but the problem with a fight scene is that if you get bogged down with too many detail, the fight inevitably slows down as a result. You have to manage to convey the tension and frenzy of the scene without having a paragraph of description for each sword swing.

- RKF22: Thank you so much for your continued support! May the Force be with you.

Alright, enough said! Enjoy the chapter!

"Hmmm… Cease to meet like this, we must," Yoda grumbled as he adjusted himself in his seat. "To be reckless; unlike you it is."

Obi-Wan nodded slowly as he took in the details of his surroundings. He was back in one of the many meditation rooms of the Jedi Temple. Outside, the Coruscanti daily life unfolded as usual; well, at least in his dream.

"My apologies, master," Obi-Wan bowed slightly, hoping Yoda would not take it as an invitation to hit him with his gimmer stick. "Though I did have… help."

Obi-Wan cast a knowing gaze and smile towards Qui-Gon Ginn who sat to his right. This time, he wasn't transparent and blue. His sweeping grey hair and beard, and blue eyes were exactly like Obi-Wan remembered.

Yoda groaned with displeasure at both of them, reflexively shaking his head. He looked at Qui-Gon out of the corner of his eye with a silent demand for an explanation.

"Oh don't look at me like that, old friend," Qui-Gon said with a smirk. "I was merely fulfilling my duty to my long lost padawan. Nowhere does the Jedi Code state that a master's training ends when he dies."

Yoda was obviously not amused by Qui-Gon's clever circumvention of the rules, but he gave a dismissive wave of his hand, implicitly putting the matter to rest.

"Hmmm… Aggressive, our enemy is becoming," Yoda spoke gravely. "Your presence in this conflict, tip the scales it has, Obi-Wan."

"Yes, your decisive actions on the Death Star, at the battle of Yavin and now on Lola Sayu, means the Emperor is becoming more and more determined to eliminate you," Qui-Gon stated. "We must continue to build up the strength of the Jedi to face whatever he may throw our way next."

"On that, agreed we are," Yoda nodded. He slowly wriggled off his couch and walked up to the window to gaze at the sun setting over the Coruscant skyline. Obi-Wan followed Yoda's gaze. It felt strange to admire something in a dream, but it comforted both of them since it reminded them of a different time. A less troubled time.

"I believe I should dedicate myself to training Luke alone; away from the Rebel Alliance," Obi-Wan spoke. "Rahm Kota can continue training the other Jedi and padawans while I'm gone, and when you are ready, master, we will join you so you may continue their training."

Master Yoda nodded at Obi-Wan's proposition, turning back to face him and Qui-Gon.

"Know where you will go, for young Skywalker's training?" he asked.

"I am thinking of starting on Tatooine," Obi-Wan spoke carefully. "A place he is familiar with. Then we will go somewhere else, where he will be entirely out of his element. It will prove good training for myself as well."

Yoda and Qui-Gon exchanged a nod. The latter stood up and Obi-Wan followed his lead. The three Jedi Masters shared a solemn moment of silence before they all returned to the chaos and noise of reality.

"Best of luck, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said with a smile, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder. Even though Obi-Wan looked and was much older than his former master, the small gesture had the same soothing effect as when he was a padawan. "The road ahead of you will not be easy, but I know you will succeed."

"Thank you, Qui-Gon." Obi-Wan gave an appreciative bow.

"Agree, I do," Yoda spoke with a keen smile. "Felt the will of the Force, you have. Follow it, and know the way, you will."

"I look forward to seeing you in person, Master," Obi-Wan nodded with a small smile.

"As do I," Yoda acknowledged as the world around them began to dissolve. "Always interrupting my meal with these conversations, are you."

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon both shared a laugh, which Yoda also joined with a discreet chuckle. After a few seconds, they were both gone and Obi-Wan felt himself spinning aimlessly through empty space…

"He's waking up!"

Obi-Wan opened his eyes slowly, adjusting to the hard glare of bright white lights. As his vision focused, he recognized Luke, Leia, Rex and Cody, all standing around his bed.

Luke quickly walked up to Obi-Wan's side, his eyes brimming with relief and joy.

"It's good to have you back, Ben," he said with a small smirk. "You've been out for a while. We were worried."

"Three days to be exact, sir," Rex spoke up. "The doctors said you were in a coma."

Three days? Force, this is getting out of hand, Obi-Wan thought.

"I'm sorry for worrying you all," Obi-Wan said. "And I especially apologize to you Leia, for going on this mission without warning."

"I understand why you did it," she spoke congenially. "And the High Command has decided to forget this incident. Considering it led to the liberation of valuable prisoners and the destruction of an entire Imperial prison, it's hard for anyone to stay mad over the fact you decided to ignore orders. However, I have to personally ask you to never do something like this again. We were lucky that it ended up being a victory but it could just as well have turned into a devastating defeat."

Obi-Wan was momentarily caught off guard by Leia's reprimand. It had struck him like hearing Padmé Amidala telling off an over-zealous senator. He could sense her Force presence was different from before he'd left. She was truly maturing into a central leading figure of the Rebel Alliance.

"You are right. I apologize for my impatience," Obi-Wan acknowledged. "But please tell me, the others who were with me? The commandos, how are they?"

A grave silence passed over the medical room. Luke, Leia, Rex, and Cody all exchanged sad and solemn looks. Finally, it was the latter who broke the news:

"Everyone who took part in the mission and everyone who was rescued is fine… except for lieutenant You. A blaster bolt severed her spinal cord and… she's been paralyzed from the waist down."

Obi-Wan let this information wash over him slowly. He brought his hand to the bridge of his nose and pinched it sharply for several seconds. When he released the pressure he also released his emotions into the Force, letting them fizzle away with the pain.

"I'm assuming she said none of us were to blame for it." he spoke evenly, eyes fixed on the white ceiling.

"Yes, sir," Rex confirmed. "She asked that we continue fighting and that if we wanted to apologize, taking down the Empire would be one hell of a consolation prize for her. Her exact words, sir."

Obi-Wan couldn't keep a smile from creeping up underneath his beard. He was happy to see her warrior spirit was still intact.

"We will make sure not to disappoint her," Obi-Wan said. He turned his gaze to Cody. "Our lives are indebted to her and her team. We must now honor their sacrifices."

"Yes, sir," Cody replied in a strong tone. He now looked much more like his old self, clean-shaven and sporting a closely trimmed military haircut.

Cody's voice softened as he spoke with a tone of gratitude that Obi-Wan had never heard in his life:

"And thank you, general. For coming back for me."

"Always, Cody," Obi-Wan smiled ruefully, holding out his hand which the Clone clasped strongly. "It's by staying in the fight that we will win the war."

"I missed your wise quotes, sir." Cody said with a laugh.

Obi-Wan shared his laughter before rising out of the bed. He immediately regretted his haste when his vision began to blur and his knees buckled underneath him. Thankfully, Cody and Rex quickly caught him before he fell.

"Easy there, general," Rex warned as he kept Obi-Wan stable. "You need time to recover your strength."

"Unfortunately, we don't have that luxury," Obi-Wan sighed. He could feel the blood slowly returning to his legs, letting him take a few tentative steps forward. "I must leave the Rebel Alliance as soon as possible."

"WHAT?!"

Obi-Wan expected such a reaction from Luke and Leia. He had not wanted to be so blunt, but his fight with the Inquisitors and his discussion with Yoda and Qui-Gon had made him realize how urgent it was that Luke begin his training in earnest.

"Allow me to explain," Obi-Wan turned back to the four people in the room. "The Jedi that are now part of the Rebel Alliance is much higher than any of us could have expected, which is good. However, most of them are either padawans, younglings, or Jedi Knights, who all have a lot of pain and trauma that they need to sort through. There is only myself, Rahm Kota and perhaps Galen Marek who can be masters to all these students. Rahm and I are no longer in our prime, to say things nicely, and I've become a target that the Emperor is fixated on eradicating. We NEED to pull the Jedi away from the front lines and focus on training the next generation. I wish to take a leave of absence from the Rebel Alliance to continue Luke's training, while Rahm and Galen train and help heal the others."

A heavy silence weighed on the room. Leia seemed deep in thought, while Luke seemed to be in agreement with Obi-Wan's position. Rex and Cody also seemed to understand the rationale behind this plan.

"How long do you expect to be gone?" Leia asked slowly.

"I don't know," Obi-Wan admitted. "We will know when we need to return. We aren't going to abandon you, Leia."

"I'm not worried about that, general Kenobi," Leia said with a smirk. "But please warn the Rebel High Command if you're planning on leaving for an indeterminate amount of time."

"I will."

Obi-Wan turned towards Luke who stared back at him with an anxious look.

"Do you think I'm ready, Ben?"

"I know you are."

Two weeks later…

"Concentrate Luke! Concentrate!" Obi-Wan urged as another sandstone slowly and shakily lifted off the ground. "Remember, feel the Force flowing through you."

Luke now had five of them levitating around him. He was seated in a meditation pose outside Obi-Wan's old hut on Tattooine.

"You must not bend the Force to your will," Obi-Wan spoke as he paced around the young man. "It is you who must surrender yourself to it and in return, it grants you its power. It is the Sith who treat the Force as something to be subdued."

Luke's face was glistening with sweat and his features were contorted in a rictus of deep concentration but he still managed to nod at what Obi-Wan was saying.

The old master waited a few more minutes before ending the exercise.

"Slowly lay the stones back down…" he said, watching as Luke lowered the sandstones back onto the dirt. "… and relax."

As soon as he said that word, Luke let out a sharp gasp and lied backward onto the sand. He was panting hard and his face was bright red. Obi-Wan reached his hand out towards the water bottle he'd left by the entrance of his hut and it immediately flew through the air into his hand. He handed it to Luke who accepted it gratefully and took a long drink.

"It will be a lot easier for you if you remember to breath." Obi-Wan said, his beard partly disguising a smirk.

Luke ran his hand through his long blond hair, shooting an incredulous look at his master.

"That entire time… I wasn't breathing?" Luke was still panting hard from his unintentional apnea.

"It can happen when we are deeply focused on a task," Obi-Wan explained. "Our mind is so concentrated on the exercise; we completely ignore our body's necessary functions."

"I can't believe I didn't realize it," Luke said as he rose to his feet. "I would have passed out if you hadn't stopped me."

"What is most overlooked, is often the key to a problem." Obi-Wan said with a knowing smirk.

"Like how you overlooked to tell anyone about Lola Sayu," R2-D2 beeped sarcastically as he rolled over to both of them, carrying a towel which he handed to Luke.

"Thanks R2," he acknowledged. Luke wiped the sweat off his face before turning back towards Obi-Wan with a slight look of worry. "I just feel like I'm not progressing fast enough. Two weeks we've been here and I'm still unable to lift a couple of rocks… I feel I should be doing more."

Obi-Wan nodded slowly as he sat on a large rock beside him.

"Luke, becoming a Jedi is something one dedicates his entire life to. Deepening our connection to the Force and understanding its will is something we develop every single day. A Jedi's training is never over, whether he is a master or a padawan. I understand your frustration, truly I do, but you must learn patience. If you choose the faster and easier path, that is the path of the Dark Side. The power it grants you is immense and immediate, but it is fleeting, and it requires larger and larger sacrifices. Remember: patience."

"You speak like you know what it's like. The Dark Side." Luke said, not as an accusation, more out of curiosity.

Obi-Wan's eyes seemed to darken for an instant before they refocused on Luke with their familiar shine.

"Unfortunately, yes…" Obi-Wan spoke gravely. "We ALL have a dark side. A Sith lets it control him. A Jedi must accept and learn to control IT. But sometimes, there are some things we just can't control…"

Luke watched as Obi-Wan's voice descended down to a murmur before ceasing entirely. He didn't say a word as the old master reflexively ran his hand through his beard, staring blankly at the sand and rocks.

"Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru asked for my help since it's harvest season," Luke finally spoke up, causing Obi-Wan to glance up in surprise. "Is it alright if I sleep with them tonight and help with the harvest tomorrow."

"Of course, of course, go ahead," Obi-Wan spoke quickly as he rose from his seat. "Wish them both my best. We'll do some lightsaber practice after-tomorrow. And take R2 with you, I'm sure he can lend a hand."

"Do I look like a harvester droid to you?" R2 beeped in mock-offense.

Luke and Obi-Wan shared a laugh at the little droid's antics. The young man made his way to a small speeder, which he was borrowing from the Rebel Alliance. He looked back towards Obi-Wan who watched him and R2 from the entrance of his hut.

From here, Luke was struck by how alone and in pain he seemed. Compared to when he'd first met Ben several years ago, when he only knew him as an old hermit, it was hard to think it was still the same person. Of course he had a missing hand, but the changes went much deeper than that.

As Luke had begun to meditate on Tattooine, he'd sometimes felt brief flashes of anguish. Like images that flashed for half a second in his mind, or a word that was shouted into his head. He hadn't understood at first, but he was able to trace them back to Obi-Wan.

Even in his sleep, he was sometimes awoken by strange nightmarish pictures. A clash of blue lightsabers, giant jets of lava erupting into an ashy sky, cries and curses, a sinister artificial breathing…

He hadn't said anything to Ben, he did not want to worry him, but now, as he looked at his kind, smiling face and understanding eyes, knowing what lied beneath, Luke couldn't help the uneasy feeling that formed in his gut.

"Obi-Wan!" Luke called to him as the latter was turning away. The old master looked back surprised that he had used his real name.

"I won't fail you. I will never be like Vader."

Obi-Wan nodded, giving a final wave goodbye as Luke started up the engine and drove the speeder away, leaving a trail of dust plumes behind him.

He watched as the speeder became smaller and smaller, eventually disappearing into a canyon. Obi-Wan was now alone, surrounded by the sound of distant winds and the drawn-out groans of his Dewback.

Obi-Wan entered his small hut and lit a small candle which cast a soft orange glow, projecting large shadows across the cupola of the hut. Obi-Wan removed his long Jedi Cloak and his beige tunic, revealing his scarred upper body.

Obi-Wan looked at himself in the mirror and could not restrain an inner sigh. His eyes roamed over the various scars that covered his chest and arms. There weren't many, and the most impressive ones were the most recent.

He picked up a small vile of bacta off a shelf and smeared some of the clammy blue liquid over the cut in his side from the battle with the Inquisitors on Lola Sayu. It was done healing but it did occasionally itch when he went to sleep.

Obi-Wan sat himself down on the hard couch; the place where he'd told Luke about his father and how he was meant to become a Jedi like him. He felt like that was ages ago.

Obi-Wan produced a small holoprojector from one of his belt compartments. He turned it over in his hand, running his finger along the worn edges and discolored surface. He'd had it for nearly twenty years now, and it never left his side.

He places it on the small table in front of him and activated the recording:

"Obi-Wan… There's good in him. I know… there's… still…"

Obi-Wan couldn't bring himself to look at the face being projected in front of him. Padmé's voice was enough to make tears well up in his eyes and stream down his face uncontrollably. His throat felt constricted; his entire body was shaking.

I will make this right, Padmé. I swear it.

With a wave of his hand, he switched off the holoprojector and lifted himself off the couch and walked towards his modest bedroom.

He lowered himself onto a small mat on the floor, easing his breathing and clearing his mind. Meditations had always helped Obi-Wan sleep. Since Lola Sayu, his dreams had gotten more and more tumultuous.

And what worried him the most, was that he didn't know if they were mere dreams or visions of the future.

As the large holoprojector powered off, Mara Jade rose to her feet and turned to leave the room. The Emperor had given her new leads from his spies that she would need to follow up. Tracking Kenobi and his apprentice would not be easy, but she appreciated a good challenge.

Just as she was about to leave the room, her eyes wandered over to the strange black pod that occupied most of the space. It was spherical in shape, resembling a much larger version of an interrogation droid.

She casually flipped the red switch on the outside panel and the entire assembly separated into two. The top part of the sphere lifted up to reveal a pure white interior with all sorts of medical devices and technical readouts. There was a seat at the center of the sphere with a sinister-looking claw hovering above it.

Mara Jade set one foot inside the sphere but was unable to take a second one. As soon as she moved inside it, a sudden wave of fear washed over her body. She could feel a presence… no, more like the trace of a presence. A rage and pain that emanated so strongly from this sphere it left her unable to take another step forward and left her petrified.

Gritting her teeth and steeling her nerves she pulled away from the sphere and quickly flipped the switch to close it back up. Only now did she realized she was panting and that her brow was covered in a thin layer of sweat.

She had some ideas on what she'd just experienced but she had no interest in exploring them, now or at any other time. In the future, she would take any incoming transmissions from the Emperor in her own private quarters.

She stepped out of the room and into the grey and black metal corridors of the Executor. She made her way to the bridge, acutely aware of the towering presence that was currently tailing her.

Every step she took on the durasteel floor was followed by a louder footstep just behind her. She could not help herself from smiling. After what she felt in that sphere, the current scene that was playing out was unbelievably entertaining for her.

She abruptly stopped her walking and immediately after, the loud footsteps stopped. She resumed walking, and the steps behind her resumed. She stopped again, so did they.

Mara decided to stop her pleasantries and focus on getting herself to the bridge. She would have time to play with her new pet later.

"COMMANDER ON THE BRIDGE!"

The shout was quickly followed by everyone rising out of their seats and standing at attention. Mara was impressed by their diligence, but she knew that their reaction was due to the conditioning they'd endured from the man who's ship she was now commanding.

She let silence reign for a few seconds before emphatically replying:

"At ease!"

Immediately the buzz of voices and the brisk, back and forth walking resumed. Mara Jade walked up to the front of the bridge where Grand Moff Thrawn and Grand Admiral Tarkin were waiting for her.

"Good to see you, commander." Thrawn acknowledged with a curt bow. His tone was polite but Mara knew better than to believe it was genuine. She had heard a lot about Thrawn, sometimes even directly from the Emperor. He was a brilliant and ruthless strategist whom Palpatine had personally called back from his campaign in the unknown regions to assist with her mission.

"Good to meet you too, Grand Moff Thrawn." she acknowledged with a nod.

She turned her eyes to Tarkin who glowered back at her through his beady grey-blue eyes. His lips barely moved as he uttered the word:

"Commander."

Tarkin's behavior was the exact opposite of Thrawn's. He did not try to be likable, nor did he care. He had narrowly escaped the destruction of the first Death Star, but it took a heavy toll on his public credibility and reputation. The Emperor personally demoted him to Grand Admiral and chose Thrawn to replace him. The latter had reluctantly accepted the position and the two were now being forced to cooperate on the same assignment.

Mara Jade had a new level of appreciation for the Emperor's way of handling strong and antagonistic personalities. Just put them both in a room and force them to cooperate. In the end, they would come together in their shared loyalty to the Empire.

"Grand Admiral." she replied evenly.

The fact that neither of them greeted the figure behind her was also part of the Emperor's designs. Mara decided to ignore him for a while and focused her attention on what was happening on the other side of the glass observation windows; which, to her displeasure, was nothing.

"Why has the orbital strike on Lola Sayu stopped?" she asked with a small snort of disbelief. "My orders were to maintain a constant barrage until the enemy is destroyed."

"I ordered the gunners to cease fire," Tarkin replied, his mouth tensing into a thin line. "After several minutes of continuous bombing with no observable results, it only amounted to a waste of munitions."

"You do not have the authority to ignore my orders, Tarkin." Mara ground out, moving slightly closer to him in hopes it would make him lose his nerve. Instead, he looked down at her with the smallest of smiles tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"I seconded the order, commander," Thrawn interrupted. His tone was soft and melodious, paired with the striking contrast between his bright red eyes and his deep blue skin it felt like he could hypnotize you. "I have researched the species we are facing and I strongly advise a change in strategy."

Mara did not like how they were working together to undermine her orders. She would have to ask the Emperor to make her authority final onboard the Executor. She did want to start an argument in front of the entire bridge crew, nor was she going to ask Vader to weigh in with his opinion.

"How so?" she inquired to Thrawn.

A smile spread across the Chiss' angular face, producing an expression that always made it feel like he knew something you didn't, which in this case was true.

"I believe we are facing an ancient race called the Lavee, believed to have been extinct for centuries. Some researchers believe the word "lava" is actually derived from their name. They are a polymorphous species that can live up to a thousand years. Their reproduction rates are close to zero and no one has yet to identify exactly how— "

"Dispense with the biology class, Thrawn, and get to the point." Mara ground out, giving an impatient wave of her hand.

"Of course, commander, forgive me," Thrawn conceded with another knowing smile. "They are able to liquefy into the lava on the planet as well as solidify if they wish to walk on land. The latter form is the only one in which they can be destroyed. Otherwise we are simply wasting munitions on pools of lava, as Grand Admiral Tarkin has stated."

I hurt Mara to have to admit it, but his logic was sound. Thrawn certainly earned his reputation of being a thorough and knowledgeable strategist.

"What do you suggest then?" Mara inquired, immediately regretting she'd let herself ask that.

"We simply let them be," Tarkin answered, as if the question were asked to him directly. "They pose no threat to us and Lola Sayu no longer has any strategic value to the Empire. Any clues we might have been able to find are unlikely to have survived the lava, not to mention the bombings."

Mara was desperately trying to hold herself back from Force choking Tarkin on the spot. The fact that he had so casually answered her question and the way he clearly insinuated that the clues were destroyed because of her actions enraged here to no end.

She clamped down on her impulses and composed herself to phrase her reply:

"Are you suggesting we simply let these… creatures continue to live unpunished? After they destroyed our most valued prison?"

"Of course not, commander, that would be absurd," the humorous chuckle that Thrawn gave, as if Mara had intentionally told a joke, made her want to end him as well. "Let us continue our original mission and once the Emperor's new weapon is rebuilt, we shall eradicate this planet in one fell swoop."

Once again, Mara could find no fault with his plan. She regretted having come to the bridge in the first place and having given that bombing order. She hated herself for her carelessness and letting herself be humiliated in such a way. She could feel the peering eyes of all the Imperial technicians in the pits; she could hear their thoughts:

"Yeah kid, let the grownups handle this."

"What was the Emperor thinking, putting her in charge of this mission?"

"At least Lord Vader actually knew what he was doing."

"Good thing Thrawn and Tarkin are here."

Mara pushed away all these voices and did her best to keep a blank expression when she spoke:

"Very well, we will proceed with the mission. The Emperor has informed me that his spies may have spotted our targets. Set a course for the Arkanis sector and send out probe droids to all planets in the sector."

"It will be done, commander." Thrawn acknowledged with a small nod and smile.

Mara turned around and started walking away. She had to move around Vader's towering form who was looking at the ship's power readings like she did not exist. Though as soon as she moved to exit the bridge, he set his steps in rhythm with hers, trailing a couple feet behind her.

"COMMANDER LEAVING THE BRIDGE!"

She did not even spare a glance as everyone rose to their feet again, and she did not give the order for them to return to their duties.

Let them stand, the dogs.

She large blast doors closed behind her and she was alone again in the cold, dark corridors; her only companion was an inexpressive giant filled with nothing but rage and suffering.

"It seems you still have much to learn about patience, little one."

The emotionless, robotic voice was the final straw. Mara ran away from him as if staying in his presence any longer would irreparably harm her.

She managed not to shed a single tear until she was safely back in the privacy of her quarters.

And that's all folks!

What did you think? Thrawn, Tarkin and Mara Jade? I'm hoping to start showing what's going on for both sides of the conflict.

Please favorite, comment and follow if you enjoy. It really help me out a lot.