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Chapter 38

Another contingency marked down.

It was going to be hard to make the Jedi indestructible in the grand scheme of things. It wasn't just the Sith that wanted the Jedi gone deep down, but thousands of local governments who didn't wish for any more interference from the moralistic peacekeepers.

The thoughts still did leave bitterness.

How so many people - governments most of all - could agree to the annihilation of the entire Order and not blink twice when the Empire was declared. Their going out and saving the people of the galaxy didn't matter. So many don't care about the people of the galaxy or, worse, take advantage of them.

It was saddening.

Luke hummed, released his feelings into the Force, and moved away.

"Heyyy, Luke?" Anakin asked, sitting up from the ramp when he saw Luke coming to the ship in the crowded hangar.

"Anakin," Luke acknowledged him, folding his arms behind his back, a small smirk coming onto his lips at the familiar tone he had grown used to.

"You see, we have been in the Jedi Temple for a bit," Anakin retorted, his tone becoming more suggestive at the end.

Luke held his gaze. "No."

"Hold up, hold up, hold up," Anakin replied, waving his hands in front of him, "I didn't say anything."

"You're not getting out of your studies because you're feeling lazy."

"Ahh, man," Anakin grumbled, making Luke chuckle slightly and pat him on his back. "Do I have to always study? We're in the Temple."

"That does not give you a pass on your studies, little brother," Luke retorted, holding a datapad out to him. "You have to learn about Kuat's policies, not to mention Corellia's."

"It's difficult and boring," Anakin moaned again, but he took the datapad nevertheless. "I helped Lorana, did I not?"

"Yes, and you shall be praised for it," Luke responded, "but not now. Now, stop pouting. The work wouldn't get finished on its own."

"Fine," Anakin lamented.

Luke snickered slightly until an unexpected pain settled in his chest. He frowned slightly as the boy traveled up to the ramp, reminded of yet another boy. His son. While the dynamic couldn't be described as anything short of odd at times, taking on raising Anakin Skywalker almost filled the gap at times.

He'd missed his son so terribly. It was a harsh ache to know that he may never be able to hold his baby boy in his hands again, never be able to embrace Mara Jade again, never be able to see Leia and Han the same again.

Sometimes, Luke even cried about it, but he'd remembered that they were all he was fighting for, and his father deserved a second chance without the Sith and even the Jedi consistently kriffing with his developments.

"Was this something you have been planning?" A voice asked with scorn.

Steadying his emotions and locking thoughts of his family for later, Luke spotted the form of the female Jedi coming at his side. "Siri."

"Was it?" She enforced, her tone still authoritative.

"Assuming that you speak of Lorana Jinzler, yes," Luke confirmed.

"I thought so," Her eyes twinkled with rage. "Why? Why did you voice for me to be her Master?"

"Because you're one of the Jedi I wholeheartedly trust," Luke answered her sincerely. It ashamed him, but he just couldn't trust his fellow Jedi with situations like this. Not yet, anyhow.

It hadn't been his first plan to back the Jedi Council into a metaphorical corner. Last time, Siri Tachi had taken on Ferus Olin, who saved his, Leia, and Han's life on the Mission to Nyemari, getting murdered by Darth Vader in the process.

He'd owned Olin his life, but allowing Lorana Jinzler to remain under C'baoth's services was unacceptable. The man could have led her to her death. His only hope right now was to entrust in the Force that Olin would find the correct mentor to guide him, hopefully similar to Tachi.

For now, he had to work with what he had. He'd needed to gain Obi-Wan and Siri as close allies. The two already viewed him as a friend, given they trusted him with their secret relationship, though it hadn't been there yet. Luke needed to motivate them to abandon their indoctrination and open their minds to a public life with one another.

Depending on each other was one of the key foundations of a relationship.

Any chance to dismantle Obi-Wan from the hermit he was in the desert, the better.

Siri snorted. "It's more than that, isn't it?"

"I am sorry to force this responsibility on you," Luke said, sadness in his voice. "I truly didn't plan for this, but I can tell you are an amazing Jedi Knight and would one day be a wonderful Master. Tell me off if you like, but please take her under your wing. She's... I really don't know how she would react if I take her out of the Temple."

Wow, Siri swore she had never seen Luke this vulnerable.

It went to show that he had a sensitive side behind all that Jedi. Possibly as powerful as Yoda and Windu, yet was still capable of wearing his emotions on his sleeve. Not only that, but it made the idea of them giving into their attachments sound so liberating.

Siri nodded, but the surprise was clear in her eyes. "I'm still young. Certainly, a compassionate Master like Plo Koon and Yaddle..."

"The idea of being trained by any member of the Council alone may put too much pressure on her, and you're more open-minded than half of the Jedi I've encountered," Luke confessed to her, gripping her shoulder. "I believe Lorana Jinzler would thrive under your teachings."

Siri's brow furrowed, and she crossed her arms, contemplating Luke's words. "You put a lot of faith in me, Luke. But this isn't about me being open-minded, is it? There's something more to this."

Luke hesitated for a moment, his expression softening as he took in her seriousness. "You'll be right. It's not just about your skill or your mind. It's about trust, Siri. I need to know I can rely on people who won't get swept up in politics or the Jedi Council's traditional ways of thinking. That's what's at stake here."

Siri sighed. "The Council's ways aren't perfect, but they've kept the Republic standing for a thousand generations. Why push so hard to change it?"

Luke sighed, his gaze drifting briefly to the crowded hangar where Anakin had disappeared into the ship. He reflected on the Jedi Order, Order 66, the mistakes they made, and the rigidity that allowed Palpatine to rise in secret. He had to stop the cycle from repeating.

"Because if we don't adapt, we'll fall, Siri. I've seen what happens when people cling to tradition too tightly. I don't want that for you, for Obi-Wan, or for anyone. Lorana is talented, but she's been through a lot. C'baoth's influence will crush her if he had continued his training."

Siri was silent, her arms uncrossing as she leaned against the wall of the hangar. "You think we're in danger of becoming too dogmatic?"

Luke nodded. "I know it. Jedi like you and Obi-Wan; you have the strength to change that and probably usher a new name for the Jedi one day. Perhaps, together, you will be able to find a balance between the Code and reality. That's why I need you to take on Lorana. She needs someone who can show her how to think for herself, to question things when necessary. And I believe you can do that."

It dawned on her. "You want to change the Order from the inside." It was not a question.

"Yes," he confirmed.

"And you need my help to do it?" She suspected.

"Yes," he nodded.

Siri looked down, her lips pressing into a thin line. "And Obi-Wan? Did he know about this plan of yours?"

Luke grinned, shaking his head slightly. "Not yet. But I'm hoping you can help me convince him. He's always been loyal and even now I'm sure he still is to the Code at heart, but I think deep down, he knows things have to change."

Siri let out a short laugh, though it wasn't wholeheartedly full of humor. "You make it sound so simple. Obi-Wan is... let's just say he's not the most flexible person when it comes to challenging the Council's wisdom."

Luke's smirk widened. "I've noticed. But that's why I need you. He listens to you, Siri. You're one of the few people who can get through to him."

There was a pause as Siri processed this, the weight of Luke's request settling in. She looked over at him, eyes narrowing slightly. "This isn't just about Lorana or the Council, is it? You're playing a much larger game than you're letting on."

Luke's smile faded. "I am. But it's not a game, Siri. This is about the future of the Jedi. I'm not asking you to betray the Council. I'm asking you to help guide it in the right direction."

Siri's expression softened, though doubt still lingered in her eyes. "I don't know, Luke. I'm just one Jedi. How much difference can I really make?"

"A lot," Luke replied firmly.

There was a long silence between them as Siri considered his words. She looked down at the floor, then back up at Luke, and nodded once.

"Alright, I'll try with Lorana," she said at last. "But you owe me for this. And don't think I'm going to stop questioning you every step of the way."

Luke chuckled softly. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

Siri gave him a small, wry smile before pushing off the wall and heading back inside the Temple.


Lorana Jinzler became Siri Tachi's Padawan a day later.

Still, Luke had been pondering about what motivated C'baoth's actions. It was obvious when they met back on Naboo that the man didn't view him too positively. C'baoth was someone he intended to avoid unless he had to deal with him directly until he felt something was off about Lorana, and that was all but confirmed today. But, given who C'baoth turned into and how his Clone was, he could only shudder at the thought of what happened to the poor girl in the original timeline.

With someone as compassionate as Tachi, the girl could thrive under her direction. With careful management, C'baoth's teachings would be undone, even without much of Luke's assistance. The girl deserved to have a voice, as far as Luke was concerned. And Luke wasn't sent back here to save only a few people while letting others die.

No, he would get as many as he could out.

However, Luke couldn't help but wonder.

How many Jedi was the question.

How many Jedi would go as deeply and intensely to C'baoth, believing that their Padawans should view him and anyone close to him as a threat?

Moreover, how many Jedi viewed him as a threat to their ways?

How many would Luke have to prepare for?

The thought was unsatisfying. To know that he might have to prepare for combat against Conservatives. It had been noted that Jedi killed Jedi before. Of course, those events were sparsely found, but it was a big occurrence in the days of the Old Republic. Sometimes, those Jedi weren't even fallen.

It merely showed how far some extremists would go.

Luke returned to the ship, finding Kitster at the entrance. "Oh, Mr. Luke, will we be able to leave now?!" He exclaimed. "The ship is borinnnggg!"

"Not yet," Luke responded, patting the boy on his shoulder. "You don't have to be afraid taking a stroll around the Temple, Kitster." Kitster always came up with excuses, and Luke decided to relent. But maybe this time could always be a difference between them all.

"I'm not," Kitster answered, his voice cracking slightly.

"The Jedi Temple is one of the safest places in the galaxy," Luke answered. At least for now. Not that Luke would leave him or Anakin here, for it was likely that Sidious's agents would discover the meaning of the two, and it would reach the Sith's ears, allowing him to have some control over Anakin.

No, he was nipping that in the bud.

The less control that the Sith have over Anakin, over his destiny, and any way to utilize him against his friends and family, the better.

But Kitster needed to feel safe. The boy was different in new environments. Anakin at least had time to know there was a life outside of slavery. Kitster never got that chance of knowing about a good future until fairly recently. It was truly a tragedy of what the slaves went through.

"How about you give it a try?" Luke attempted again. "We can take a tour."

"I'm good," Kitster responded nervously.

"I don't believe that you are. You do realize I would never let anyone hurt you, Kitster?"

"Well, I..." he started.

"Please."

He looked him straight in the eye. And Kitster held his gaze, wondrous.

"I'm sure the Jedi Council won't mind nor would anyone in the Order."

Kitster bit his lower lip nervously before he nodded and followed Luke behind. He kept his hand in his as they walked down through the Jedi Temple. It was an awe for sore eyes for travelers, that much obvious by the way his jaw dropped as his eyes brightened, marveling the Palace of the Jedi and the difference in scenery.

Corridors through corridors they walked, the Jedi Masters stopping by and nodding at Kitster, sensing his fear. A few did give Luke "a look" when the boy wasn't looking, but none of them said anything.

Luke prevented him from going to forbidden places. The last thing they'd needed was Kitster walking into the Council Chambers and possibly interrupting a meeting. Master Yoda would be amused by that one!

Eventually, they found a training mat.

"I'm doing better than you!" The familiar voice echoed.

"Only in your dreams, Anakin!" Another quipped back.

Anakin and Lorana.

Luke smiled at the form of the latter. She didn't seem to have recovered, but it was clear that Tachi had eased herself into the girl's comfort zone comfortably. Anakin helped, too. He always made friends in the most unlikely places. Luke wished it had been that easy for him when he was that age.

The two were holding their training sabers out. Thankfully, none of this was new to Kitster. It reminded him of the first time when Kitster thought he and Anakin were hurting each other, in which Luke had to break down to the boy the basics of Jedi training.

"Hello, Anakin, Lorana, what's going on?" Luke inquired, smiling warmly.

"Luke! Oh, and Kitster! You finally came into the Temple! Stop being scared?!" Anakin mocked playfully.

"Anakin," Luke scolded with a small grin.

"I wasn't scared," Kitster huffed.

Lorana struck again. Anakin caught it, but not without taking several steps backward.

"Cheater!" Anakin exclaimed.

"Don't be a sore loser, Ani!" Lorana shot back.

"Oh, that's it! You're going down!" Anakin exclaimed, lunging back up.

They pulled back, lightsabers angled at one another. The two struck at the same time, lightsabers batting against one another. Lorana was superior in height right now, however, Anakin was far more agile.

"Go! Get him!" Kitster boosted.

Anakin stopped and looked at his friend, affronted. "Who's side you're on?!"

Lorana's legs locked beneath his two feet, and Anakin swung at air as he began falling back. He collapsed onto his back while Lorana positioned her lightsaber at his throat.

Luke moved over to his young charge and laughed slightly. "Rookie's mistake," he commented.

"You wait when I'm fully trained. I will show you!" Anakin laughed back, emphasizing this by pointing his saber up.

"I have no doubt of that," he responded, his voice still amused. "And this is why you never take your attention off of an enemy."

"Oh, shut up," Anakin groaned.

"Anakin, if you're done protecting the floor," Luke quipped, making the boy let another exaggerated groan out, "can you take Kitster back to the ship? I want to talk to Lorana."

Anakin brushed himself off as he got back to his feet, his cheeks still slightly red in humiliation. "Okay, Luke."

He led the now-relaxed Kitster back to the ship.

"I'm glad to see your mood has improved," Luke said seriously, planting a hand on her shoulder.

Lorana breathed out. "Master Tachi... is nice. She lets me have leftovers when she finishes eating."

Luke nodded. "Yes, she is quite something. You want to take after her, Lorana. She will train you to be a great Jedi. You already are one."

She looked at him, her voice shaky and unresolved. "Thanks..."

"Don't listen to what C'baoth said," Luke enforced, "you will be a good Jedi even without him."

"I... guess," she said, rubbing her shoulder.

Hopefully, she would respond to praise better one day.