Reading Time: 158 Minutes

Title: A Guardian’s Path
Series Title: The Genesis of a Jedi
Series Order: 1
Author: Keira Marcos
Fandom: Star Wars, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Relationship: Jaro Tapal/Eeth Koth, Obi-Wan Kenobi/Quinlan Vos
Genre: Alternate Universe, Science Fiction
Warnings: Canon Typical Violence, Explicit Sex, Character Bashing, Violence, Homophobia, Intersexphobia, Grammarly Beta, Discussion-Slavery, Discussion-Mental Health Issues, Discussion-Sex Slavery, Discussion-Child Slavery, Discussion-OC Character Death, Discussion-War, Discussion-Collateral Damages, Discussion-Terrorism, Discussion-Child Death, Discussion-Child Soldiers, Discussion-Child Murder
Word Count: 80,835
Author’s Note: The author has no respect for canon or legends content. Canon is full of slavery. It’s disgusting. Star Wars is darker than the Hannibal TV show. I swear. Droidspeak is used in this fic and it’s always italicized rather than represented with a series of beeps or whatever that would depend on translation. I’m, in fact, going to leave you assume that my entire fic has been translated for you from Galactic Basic since no one in Star Wars would actually be speaking English to begin with.
Summary: Obi-Wan Kenobi has no interest whatsoever in being Qui-Gon Jinn’s emotional support animal. This comes to quite a shock to several people. When Force influences him to make his wishes known, Obi-Wan is taken down a path to knighthood he’d have never imagined possible under the careful and gentle hand of Jedi Master Jaro Tapal.

* * * *

Chapter 1

Obi-Wan Kenobi didn’t have an over-inflated ego, but he knew he’d done well in the sparring tournament because of his skill and dedication. Several of his peers were irritated with him because he already had the interest of a Jedi Master and hadn’t needed to win the tournament. Plus, he had another six months before he turned thirteen, so even if he hadn’t been the subject of Master Qui-Gon Jinn’s singular attention, he wasn’t in danger of being shipped off to the corps any time soon.

He’d wanted to apprentice with Master Jinn and had welcomed the older man’s scrutiny at first. But as the weeks had progressed and the man’s glowering disapproval had become utterly evident to Obi-Wan, he’d started to dread the Jedi Master getting anywhere near him. It was clear that Master Jinn was not remotely interested in acquiring a padawan, and more importantly, to Obi-Wan, he didn’t think he could tolerate the man’s presence for any length of time.

Part of him wanted to avoid making eye contact with the man entirely, but Obi-Wan wasn’t going to be the kind of person to avoid dealing with an uncomfortable situation. So, when the older man had motioned him over, Obi-Wan had set aside the water he’d been drinking and went to tell Qui-Gon Jinn no. The man was standing with Master Mace Windu, so that was going to be awkward. Master Windu had recently joined the High Council—one of the youngest members ever.

“Initiate Kenobi.” Master Jinn stared down at him, hands tucked in his sleeves. “I’ve been watching you for several weeks.”

“Yes, sir,” Obi-Wan said and tucked his own hands behind his back to avoid fidgeting. “I must apologize for wasting your time. It’s been difficult trying to figure out how to dissuade your attention without an awkward conversation.”

Master Jinn’s eyes widened, and Master Windu made a startled noise. “Excuse me?”

“With all due respect, Master Jinn, further observation would be a waste of your time as we are not suited. Due to my gifts within the Force, being in the same room with you is, at times, both difficult and distracting. I hope that once I begin training with a master, I can quickly gain control of my empathy. But for now, I have to be very careful about continuous exposure to those with emotional damage.”

“I’m told if I don’t make you an offer, you’ll go to the AgriCorps,” Master Jinn said in a subdued tone.

“Oh, well, that would be unfortunate,” Obi-Wan said. “I’d certainly leave the Jedi Order as soon as legally possible if I were treated unfairly merely because you and I are incompatible. I should go speak with the Council of Reassignment to make arrangements. I will turn thirteen in six months. I’ll have to request the Exploration Corps instead. If I’m going to waste four years of my life working for an organization that doesn’t respect my potential, I’d rather do it in an area that interests me and could provide me with a viable skill to make a living after I leave.” He checked his chronometer. “May I be excused, sirs?”

Master Jinn just stared.

“Yes, of course, Initiate Kenobi,” Master Windu said with a tight smile. “Have a good evening.”

Obi-Wan nodded and left as quickly as he could. He headed straight for the administration area for the Council of Reassignment because if they were thinking about putting him in the Agricultural Corps, then he was going to make it abundantly clear that no one deserved that. Plants hated him and for a good reason. He’d killed a little fern from Kashyyyk that only required air to live, and his dormmates still hadn’t truly forgiven him since the little fern liked to hum songs to them at night.

He used a terminal to sign in and took a seat in the empty lobby area. Obi-Wan had only been in the room twice since coming to the temple, as far as he knew. The Council of Reassignment handled the Service Corps and would, apparently, be his avenue out of the Jedi Order. He didn’t know what to think, really, because he was at the top of his year at the academy.

Obi-Wan had worked hard for his accomplishments and didn’t understand how his future had been narrowed down so dramatically that it had ended up in the hands of a deeply damaged man that no one seemed willing to help. He didn’t know what to do about that part, but he did know it wasn’t his duty to fix Master Qui-Gon Jinn.

“Initiate Kenobi.”

Obi-Wan stood. “Good afternoon, Master Veros.” He was relieved as he’d had more than one discussion with Master Lyro Veros and trusted the man to be honest with him. “My apologies for taking your time without an appointment.”

“I’m always available to initiates,” the older man said warmly. “Come, we’ll have tea in my office, and you can tell me why you’re out here in the lobby having a bit of angst.”

Obi-Wan flushed as he’d thought he’d done very well at shielding his emotions. He pushed the hurt he didn’t want to even think about down deep and sat down where he was motioned to. The last thing he wanted to do was cry all over Master Veros. He knew the Tholothian Jedi Master to be kind and thoughtful, so he felt safe in his office expressing his disappointment. He just didn’t want to.

He took the mug of tea he was offered and sat back in the comfortable chair. To avoid speaking, he took a sip and stared at the tea.

“Are you having problems with your sense ability?”

“The other initiates can be…high-strung,” Obi-Wan murmured. “And I’ve gotten some negative feedback from them regarding Master Jinn’s attention on me. It’s been uncomfortable on several fronts. His lineage makes him a very attractive option for some.”

“But not for you,” Master Veros said quietly.

Obi-Wan cleared his throat. “May I speak freely and in private, Master Veros?”

“Yes, with the stipulation that if you tell me something that has hurt or damaged you or others, I will act on it,” Master Veros said, and Obi-Wan nodded. “I will do everything I can to respect your privacy while getting you the help you need.”

He watched the older man get up, lock the door, and activate a privacy shield then return to his chair.

“I’ve worked hard at the academy,” Obi-Wan said quietly. “Master Yoda said I was too proud and arrogant concerning my abilities. So, I tried to adjust and make the changes necessary to be a proper Jedi.” He paused when Master Veros sighed. “And I thought I’d succeeded. I’ve never been a braggart, but I was overly confident in a way that others found offensive. I understood, but I’d already made…several antagonistic associations regarding my success and pure lack of humbleness.”

Master Veros laughed. “Ah, well, those of us who are competent often find such adversaries very easily, Obi-Wan.”

That made him feel slightly better.

“I don’t step on others to get ahead,” Obi-Wan continued. “I share what I learn with friends and anyone else who might ask. I train with others when invited and never, ever attempt to make anyone feel lesser for what they do and do not know.”

“Yes, I’ve heard this about you more than once.”

“I’m first in my session,” Obi-Wan said quietly. “So, I don’t understand how I’ve come to the place I’m currently in.”

“Please explain,” Master Veros encouraged. “What place do you find yourself in?”

“Master Jinn told me that if I don’t become his Padawan, I’ll be sent to the AgriCorps,” Obi-Wan blurted out, and despite his best intentions, tears blurred his vision. He blinked rapidly and lowered his head. “I don’t understand what I’ve done wrong, sir.”

“Be…very precise with me, Obi-Wan,” Master Veros said quietly. “Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn said that you’d be his apprentice, or you’d go to the AgriCorps. Is that correct?”

Obi-Wan took a deep breath. “He said, I’m told if I don’t make you an offer, you’ll go to the AgriCorps. I don’t know who told him that, but I’d already told him that I didn’t think we were compatible and that being in the same room with him makes me uncomfortable due to my advanced empathy. So, I came here to talk about my future options and to ask to go to the Exploration Corps if I’m to be placed in the Service Corps. You know I’m incapable of keeping even a siren fern alive, and they don’t require…anything.”

“Why does he make you uncomfortable?” Master Veros questioned.

“He’s….” Obi-Wan swallowed hard. “I don’t want to disparage a Jedi Master, sir.”

“I understand that,” Master Veros said gently. “But I need you to be explicitly honest with me.”

“Master Jinn is broken,” Obi-Wan blurted out. “He’s bitter, angry, and he has a rotting Force bond. I feel like Master Yoda sent him my way because of my empathy, Master Veros.”

“Explain that to me from your perspective.”

“Well, with my level of empathy, a Force bond with me could very quickly eradicate the rotting bond that Master Jinn is carrying. I’d absorb all of the emotions he’s festering in due to a bond and proximity. I’ve been warned repeatedly in classes and in my reading to be very careful to avoid these circumstances because it would do me permanent harm. I probably wouldn’t fall to the dark side, but his emotional turmoil would subdue my natural personality permanently within a year or two. Maybe Master Yoda would find me more acceptable at that point as well.” He looked down at his shaking hands and took a ragged breath. “It’s not my job to fix Master Jinn, sir.”

A hand settled on his shoulder, and he turned to find Master Lyro Veros kneeling beside his chair. “Listen carefully, Obi-Wan. You are meant to be a Jedi Knight, and I will make certain you’re given all the opportunities you’ve more than earned. Even three months ago, you had several different masters who wished to meet you. There is no single, legitimate way that all of those masters have suddenly stopped being interested.”

“Then…. Master Jinn told them to go away?” Obi-Wan took a deep breath. “That’s awful, sir.”

“I will investigate this, and I want you to avoid him going forward. Don’t speak with him, never allow him to take you anywhere private, and leave the room if you see him enter. Keep close to your classmates and Master Vant.”

“Yes, sir,” Obi-Wan said. “I’m very worried. It’s hard to think.”

Master Veros stood and took a deep breath. “Come with me.”

Obi-Wan finished his tea quickly and stood. He followed the man out of the office and through the temple, with worry swirling around in his gut. Maybe he shouldn’t have finished the tea. He tried to keep his posture relaxed as he followed Master Veros. He could feel anger swirling around the Tholothian, but it didn’t feel directed at him.

Shortly, they entered the hall that would lead them straight to the Council’s offices. Obi-Wan didn’t want to end up in front of the High Council. It was the stuff of nightmares at his age. The Service Corps loomed large in front of him, and while he didn’t think such a thing was a terrible situation, normally, it did feel like a sucker punch. It wasn’t what he’d worked for. It wasn’t what he’d been led to believe that would be his future within the Order.

He realized as he watched Master Veros demand a meeting with Master Jocasta Nu, who was the current Master of the Order, that he’d started to disassociate. Obi-Wan forced himself to concentrate on the situation at hand and wondered, only briefly, what would happen if he passed out because he was emotions swirling around him were only getting more intense by the moment.

A firm hand on his arm caught his attention, and Obi-Wan focused on Master Veros as he blinked rapidly.

“Initiate Kenobi?” Master Veros said carefully. “Are you well?”

Obi-Wan wet his lips. “Are you mad at me?”

“No, of course not,” Master Veros said.

“It feels like someone is…very mad at me,” Obi-Wan murmured and leaned forward. “It’s awful.” He reached out and fisted one hand in Master Veros’ robe. “Stay with me, please.”

“Lyro?” a woman said.

“Something is wrong with him,” Master Veros said quietly. “He was basically fine until we came into the Council’s tower, Jocasta.”

Obi-Wan couldn’t help but tighten his fist on the master’s robe. It was the only thing keeping him grounded, and he wasn’t prepared to let it go. He hoped that was okay. A hand gently cupped his head, and a soft, flowery scent filled his senses.

“Take a deep breath, Initiate Kenobi,” she said gently. “Keep your eyes closed. That’s good. You’re doing very well.”

He didn’t think so, and he was ashamed of his lack of control. Maybe that’s why Master Yoda was trying to throw him away and ruin him.

“No one is going to throw you away or ruin you,” a voice said firmly.

He hadn’t meant to say it. Maybe passing out was the better option. The Force shifted inside of him, and he took it as a sign that he needed to push his emotions away so he could focus on the situation. Everything calmed down as he focused on the Force energy in his body, and he took a deep breath before opening his eyes. He was seated on a sofa in an office he’d never been in, with Master Veros on one side of him and Master Nu on the other.

“I’m sorry,” Obi-Wan murmured. “I don’t know what happened.”

“Your gift of empathy is growing rapidly,” Master Nu said. “It’s astounding—you were not so open even a month ago. What has happened?”

Obi-Wan didn’t know how to explain it as there was nothing simple about his circumstances or what had happened to him nearly a year before. He’d just woken up one day with the Force wrapped around him like a robe. When she’d finally retreated, he felt very different.

“I communed with the Force in my sleep about a year ago,” Obi-Wan blurted out, and both masters made startled noises. “I just woke up one morning, and the Force was with me in a way she’s never been before. And I haven’t been alone since. The ramping up of my empathy seems to be a side effect of that and it’s getting worse. It feels like a warning that I can’t ignore.”

“Have you spoken with Master Vant about this situation?” Master Nu questioned, and Obi-Wan shook his head. “Why not?”

“We have new initiates from the crèche every three months,” Obi-Wan said. “And she’s very busy and I thought I could handle it by myself, and I’ve been doing very well until today.” He looked down at his hands.

“What happened today?” Master Nu questioned.

“Today, Qui-Gon Jinn told Initiate Kenobi that he’d either by his padawan or he’d be transferred to the AgriCorps,” Master Veros explained. “There has been no such decision made by the Council of Reassignment, Jocasta. In fact, if Initiate Kenobi is not offered an apprenticeship, he’s slotted for the Exploration Corps. But to be frank, none of us believe that is his future. He is to be a Jedi Knight—his path in the Force is very clear.”

“I agree concerning his path,” Master Nu said. “And Qui-Gon Jinn certainly doesn’t have the authority to make such a decision.”

“Apparently, Yoda has been meddling,” Master Veros said. “And we’ve rarely interfered with his little plots as they most often work out, but we cannot allow this. Initiate Kenobi has declined Qui-Gon Jinn’s mentorship explicitly and for a very good reason.”

Obi-Wan said nothing as Master Veros expanded on his empathy problem and the rotting bond Master Jinn had. Obi-Wan shuddered as he thought about the possibility of having a Force bond with someone so hurt, resentful, and angry. It was nauseating.

“I can see why Yoda would wish to make such a match for his grandpadawan,” Master Nu said quietly. “He certainly favors his lineage time and time again.” She put a hand on Obi-Wan’s shoulder. “You needn’t worry about this anymore, Initiate Kenobi. I will take care of this situation. I know for a fact that there are many interested in offering you an apprenticeship, and I will make certain that they know you’re available.”

“What if none of them want to defy Master Yoda?” Obi-Wan questioned quietly.

“I’m the Master of the Order,” Master Nu said firmly. “Grand Master Yoda is a figurehead, Initiate Kenobi. I don’t believe he will act against me, as it would weaken the Jedi Order as a whole if we are at odds. And I’m on your side.”

* * * *

“Grand Master Yoda suggested that I observe Initiate Kenobi and consider taking him as my apprentice,” Qui-Gon Jinn said coolly. “I observed the boy on several occasions and find him to be…talented, but arrogant and thoughtless. I’d planned to decline to apprentice him.”

“Except he rejected your attention before you could,” Jocasta Nu said, and Yaddle watched Jinn’s cheeks darken. “In front of dozens of people—initiates, other masters, padawans, and a few of the older younglings. That must have been humiliating, Qui-Gon.” She shifted forward in her seat when he glared at her briefly. “And frustrating since you obviously intended to deliver that very humiliation onto him. Maybe you thought he needed to be humbled.” She focused on Yoda then and she stared until the grand master shifted then averted his gaze.

“He’s an ungrateful brat, and I wasted valuable time evaluating him,” Qui-Gon said. “He’s unsuited for the life of a Jedi Knight and should certainly be sent to the AgriCorps, where he would at least be moderately useful until he’s an adult.”

Jocasta took a deep breath and focused on Lyro Veros who was standing a few feet from Qui-Gon Jinn, staring at the floor. “Master Veros, as the Master of the Council of Reassignment, will you share with us the current assessment on Initiate Obi-Wan Kenobi?”

“Of course, Master Nu,” Lyro said smoothly. “Initiate Kenobi is a talented dualist, and recently settled into the Soresu fighting style. Academically, he is peerless in his year group, and it has led to some issues that we believe he’s handled very well. He’s proud of his accomplishments, but over the last year has developed a modest and quite courtly manner.

“He shares his skills with others, never hesitates to do whatever work is required of him, studies languages, and reads as a hobby. He’s currently reading a series of philosophy essays written in Old Alderaanian—the third language he’s learned to the point of fluent since leaving the crèche.

“All of his Force skills are on point and growing as he does, with the exception of one. Recently, his Force sense has started to change and grow in ways that have left him uncomfortable. This ability is why he rejected Master Jinn.”

Mace Windu, a very new and younger member of the Council, leaned forward. “Can you elaborate, Master Veros?”

“Due to his advanced empathy, Initiate Kenobi can feel exactly how damaged Master Jinn is following the fall of his former padawan.” He took a deep breath when Jinn hissed in shock. “He believes that Master Yoda sent Master Jinn to evaluate him because of his overt empathy, which has always been strong but is getting sophisticated as he’s grown older. The fact is that a bond with a Force-sensitive like Obi-Wan Kenobi would shore up Master Jinn’s tattered mental defenses, and mitigate or outright replace the rotting Force bond the man is still holding onto.

“Initiate Kenobi came to me for help after speaking with Master Jinn as he felt that he was being extorted into changing his mind. Master Jinn told him that he’d end up being sent to the AgriCorps if he didn’t get an offer from him. Which is galling and disgusting since no less than seven Jedi Masters in the temple have had their eye on Initiate Kenobi since he left the crèche.”

“A good match between Qui-Gon and young Obi-Wan to be found,” Yoda interjected, and they all focused on him. “For the best it is.”

Yaddle took a deep breath to keep her own building ire to herself. There was no point in arguing with Yoda in public when she could simply berate him in private as long as she wanted, and he would just take it.

“No,” Jocasta said firmly, and Yoda turned to look at her,  clearly startled. “Initiate Kenobi would rather leave the Order entirely than spend another minute in Qui-Gon Jinn’s company. I suspect it might take years for him to tolerate any sort of interaction. The child believes Qui-Gon is broken and fundamentally unsafe. No sort of relationship is tenable at this point.”

“Which is fine, as I have no interest in ever seeing him again,” Qui-Gon retorted, and Jocasta glared at him. He appeared startled for a brief moment before he lowered his head. “My apologies, Master Nu.”

“You’ve terrorized a child,” Jocasta said lowly, and Qui-Gon flinched. “He thinks that any association with you will ruin him. He believes that the Order will throw him away if he doesn’t sacrifice himself on your martyr complex. So, your wish is granted, Qui-Gon Jinn. You are forbidden from any sort of interaction with the individual known as Obi-Wan Kenobi until which time he is knighted.”

“Who’d take him as a padawan after the way he behaved in the arena?” Mace Windu questioned. “He humiliated Qui-Gon.”

“Yes, it’s so unfortunate that the child embarrassed Qui-Gon before he could have such a thing delivered onto himself,” Lyro said snidely and shrugged when Jocasta sent him a hard look.

“I would, despite my previous decision to never take another padawan,” Yaddle interjected, and they all focused on her. “I know another who will certainly make an offer despite Yoda’s interference.”

“I would as well,” Lyro said. “He has all the makings of a Jedi Knight of old.”

Yaddle nodded because she agreed. Obi-Wan Kenobi was a bright and beautiful presence in the Force.

“I would make an offer,” Jocasta said, and they all stilled briefly and adjusted to that. “Initiate Obi-Wan Kenobi will have the options he deserves, and I will not tolerate any sort of interference going forward.” She glared briefly at Yoda as she spoke. “You put me in charge because you were tired. If you don’t like the results, you only have yourself to blame.”

Yoda made a face and nodded.

She focused on Qui-Gon Jinn. “You must seek mind healing. We all know you’re struggling, and your situation isn’t exactly unique. You’re hardly the first master in this Order to lose a padawan or a former student to the dark side.”

“I chose Xanatos.”

“So what?” Jocasta questioned, and Qui-Gon stared at her in shock. “We all make that same choice repeatedly as we train future Jedi. It’s always a risk. The struggle between the light and the dark side is eternal. You make one mistake, then suddenly everything you’ve ever done is corrupt, and you’ve nothing to do but wallow in your own pain? Did you want to pick up all of your toys and go hide in your old bunk in the crèche?” She glared at Yoda when he started to speak. “Neither you nor Dooku have done your duty to this man—so I suggest you focus your energies on getting him the help he needs.” She stood. “Also, Yoda, you owe Initiate Kenobi an apology.”

“Still believe it best,” Yoda said. “They need each other. Wills it the Force does.”

Jocasta exhaled slowly and shared a look with Lyro. “Take another look, Yoda, because the Force is furious, and she’s currently wrapped around Obi-Wan Kenobi like a blanket. He might as well be a babe in his mother’s arms.”

Yaddle watched her leave the Council room, taking Lyro Veros with her. Several others left with Jocasta as Yaddle considered going all the way back to her apartment for the tea. The refectory had tea, but she really didn’t like the types they had on offer.

“Many mistakes made,” Yoda muttered.

“I told you I didn’t want a padawan,” Qui-Gon said firmly. “Everyone knew you were making me observe that boy. I was trying to end the situation permanently to avoid your plotting, Yoda.”

“So, you intended to hurt and demoralize a child to teach Yoda a lesson,” Yaddle questioned.

“Yaddle—”

She flicked at him with the Force, and he was knocked back a few steps. “Have I ever given you permission to be so informal with me? Your behavior during this situation has been shameful, immature, and ultimately so unbecoming a master of this Order that I’m appalled that those around you still seem to think you deserve such a title. Your ability to be outright cruel to a child in your efforts to win your little battle of wills with Yoda makes me question just how close to the dark side you are.”

Qui-Gon Jinn stared at her in startled horror. “Master Yaddle. I’m in the light. I swear it.”

“I’ll be watching you very closely,” Yaddle said evenly.

“Yaddle, interfere not,” Yoda ordered.

She flicked her hand in his direction and knocked Yoda out of his chair. “Don’t tell me what to do.”

Yoda picked himself up with a huff. “Inappropriate your behavior is.”

“Is it?” Yaddle questioned. “Does it bother you for someone to just decide what to do with your life and body without a single thought as to what you might want? How odd. You don’t seem to think anyone else around you should have autonomy. You will learn a lesson in this, Yoda, one way or another.” She walked away from them even as Sifo-Dyas stood and fell into place beside her. “Ignoring the autonomy of another is the root of the dark side.”

Sifo-Dyas said nothing as he walked beside her. As Humans went, he was very interesting to Yaddle and always had been. Yoda found Sifo-Dyas deeply offensive due to his deep investment in the Unifying Force. Perhaps that was the same reason Yoda had sought to control Obi-Wan Kenobi.

“Tea?” she questioned.

“Yes, please,” Sifo-Dyas murmured. “Though I was tempted to go along with Jocasta as I figure she’s in Lyro’s office having a complete fit in a very stately way.”

Yaddle laughed. “Let’s go find out then.”

* * * *

“You’re an idiot.”

Obi-Wan looked up from his datapad and stared pointedly at Bruck Chun. “What’s that make you?”

His best friend, Quinlan Vos, who was sprawled across the bottom of Obi-Wan’s bunk, laughed.

“What?” Bruck questioned in confusion.

“Not to be immodest, Bruck, but I’m first in our session academically and I won the last tournament. So, if I’m an idiot, then what exactly are you on that scale?” Obi-Wan watched Bruck’s face darken. “Beyond being a whiny liar with abysmal strategic skills. You can’t even get me in trouble correctly. And I’m not going to let you bait me into doing something stupid.”

“You rejected the only master that’s going to offer you an apprenticeship. They might as well just ship you off to the corps,” Bruck said.

“I did take the time to go speak to Master Veros about my placement, just in case,” Obi-Wan said and shrugged when everyone in the room looked his way. “I told him I couldn’t be trusted with plants and would be better served in the Exploration Corps.”

“I really miss Petey,” Quinlan muttered, and Obi-Wan barely refrained from kicking him.

“Me, too,” Bruck said and glared briefly at Obi-Wan.

He huffed. “Look! He was sad about not being pruned regularly. How was I to know that you can only prune a siren fern in the dark? How does that even make sense? Besides, it’s only been a week. I’ll give Garen some credits to go buy another creepy humming fern, okay?”

Quinlan laughed. “Lesson learned.”

“Right,” Obi-Wan said. “Never do anything to a plant without reading about it first. I get it. And for the record, I’d rather be in the Service Corps than in an apprenticeship with a master who is fundamentally a bad match for me. My emotional and mental health is really important to me. A Force bond isn’t something we should enter into out of desperation. There are many thousands of Jedi out and about in the galaxy, and I have half a year before I turn thirteen, so it’s insane to say that I only have one option.”

He had faith in Masters Veros and Nu, and they’d told him that he didn’t need to worry about being sent to the Service Corps.

“You rejected a chance to be a part of Grand Master Yoda’s lineage,” Bruck said. “It’s really stupid, Oafy. I really expected you to make a smart choice.”

“You’d be better off if you stopped having expectations concerning my behavior and choices,” Obi-Wan said and sighed. “Can you leave? I want to finish this document before lights out.”

Bruck huffed and slouched off toward his own bunk.

“Do you think I’m stupid, too?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“Not in the least,” Quinlan said. “Your empathy is an immense burden. You don’t need Master Jinn’s less-than-stellar coping skills on top of it. He’s been skulking around the temple like the walking wounded for a while now and no one seems to want to do anything about it. If you’re Master Yoda’s solution, then I’m genuinely disappointed in that little troll.”

Obi-Wan cleared his throat to avoid laughing. “Don’t call him a troll.”

“Well, if he’d tell us what his species is called, then most people who know him wouldn’t call him a troll behind his back,” Quinlan said wryly and nudged Obi-Wan’s foot. “I have an offer.”

Obi-Wan sat aside his tablet and launched himself at his friend. “You bantha butt! You should’ve told us immediately.” He hugged his friend tightly and relaxed as the embrace was eagerly returned.

“Is the world ending? Obi-Wan is having an overt emotion,” Garen Muln announced as he came to stand by the bunk. “Everyone, come look.”

Obi-Wan laughed. “Quin got an offer!”

“Of course he did,” Bruck said sourly from his bunk. “He’s got a rare gift.”

“Quin has more to offer than psychometry,” Obi-Wan said and focused on Quinlan. “Have you given a response?”

“I have to meditate on the offer and make a decision about my career path,” Quinlan said quietly. “It’s a dual offer.”

“Ah,” Obi-Wan said and sat back. “I’m glad they gave you time to think about it. It shows that they care about your happiness now and in the future. Are you going to say yes? Does it fit with your career goals?”

“It fits,” Quinlan said with a firm nod. “I’m comfortable with the master in question.” He paused. “You are, too.”

Obi-Wan had a very good idea of who it was as only a select few masters that he knew well enough that had announced themselves ready for a padawan. They’d trained with a great many masters over the years, but he could pinpoint just two that would fit very well with Quinlan. One was Mace Windu, who had a padawan already, and the other was Ioan Tholme. Both worked within various intelligence operations for the Order, and that was the kind of work that his friend wanted to do.

Ioan Tholme was a very competent and compelling Jedi Master. Obi-Wan was thrilled for his friend so he just dropped back on his end of the bunk with a smile and picked up his datapad. He had another few thousand words to read on the final document in the series of essays he was reading on how Alderaan’s pacifism had impacted the Republic over a thousand years of governance.

The rest of the room settled down for various end-of-day tasks, and Quin moved to his own bunk with a murmured goodnight. One of the best things about Quinlan Vos was that he never expected Obi-Wan to be any different than he was. He didn’t try to change anyone around them as he saw the value of accepting people exactly as they were.

Obi-Wan put his datapad in the storage area of his bunk and turned out his light. He unfolded his blanket and curled under it but didn’t close his eyes. His mind started to race with worry, so he sought out the Force, and a gentle weight settled on his body that was so comforting that he drifted off to sleep very quickly.

 

 

Chapter 2

“You’re out of sorts,” Jaro said and watched his tiny master pace around his room. He’d returned to the temple to search out a new padawan and the process was on going. He’s settled into a studio apartment in the temple as he didn’t need much space and couldn’t have a master-apprentice accommodations without a padawan.

“I’m furious,” Yaddle said and waved a hand when he started to stand. “You can loom over me from a seated position.”

Jaro laughed. “I’ve never loomed over you. In fact, I make it a point to never loom over anyone. It was the first thing you taught me. But if you’re going to pick a fight, I should get up and prepare myself for it.”

She offered him a brief smile then resumed pacing and frowning. “Did Yoda tell you that your interest in Obi-Wan Kenobi would be unwelcome?”

Jaro considered how to answer that question. “He told me and several others that the Force had specific plans for Initiate Kenobi and that he would be apprenticed with Qui-Gon. It was disappointing as he’s an interesting individual and his academic work is excellent.”

“He lied,” Yaddle said roughly and exhaled slowly before coming to sit with him on the sofa. She settled onto the cushion and wrapped her robe around her legs. “Gui-Gon Jinn is severely damaged by the fall of Xanatos and has a broken Force bond. It’s been suggested that the bond fragment is rotting.”

Jaro made a disgusted face before he could help himself. “He hasn’t done the work to purge it? It’s been years.”

“I chose not to investigate personally,” Yaddle said. “I’d rather not touch such a thing. But Master Nu has made it clear he needs see a mind healer and she gave Yoda a dressing down over the matter.”

“That must have been…something else,” Jaro admitted.

“Very uncomfortable,” Yaddle agreed. “Yoda is stubborn and even after it was revealed that Obi-Wan wants no part of an apprenticeship with Qui-Gon he argued that it should still be done. Master Nu accused Qui-Gon of terrorizing the boy and said that Obi-Wan felt that if he didn’t accept Qui-Gon as his master that he would be punished by being sent to the AgriCorps. It is an implication that Qui-Gon directly made to the boy.”

“That’s obscene,” Jaro said roughly. “What was decided?”

“Master Nu has forbidden any contact between the boy and Qui-Gon,” Yaddle explained. “But the politics are tricky since Initiate Kenobi publicly dismissed Qui-Gon as an option and humiliated him in front of dozens of people who’d attended the tournament.”

“I skipped it,” Jaro said in awe. “I’m so disgruntled right now.”

Yaddle laughed. “Me as well. I was having tea at the time.”

“What is Yoda’s agenda?” Jaro questioned.

“Lyro Veros thinks that Yoda wanted the match because of the boy’s prodigious Force sense,” Yaddle said. “If Qui-Gon is as damaged as we’ve been led to believe then a Force bond with a very powerful empath would do the work that he refuses to personally do for himself. It would mitigate or replace the broken bond he’s nurturing, and the new bond would allow the boy to absorb every single bit of Qui-Gon’s bitterness over Xanatos’ fall.”

“Did Yoda deny it?”

“No, he did not,” Yaddle said.

Jaro stood. “Forgive me, Yaddle, I won’t be able to have breakfast with you this morning.”

She hummed her agreement. “Let me know if you pick a fight.”

“Of course,” Jaro murmured as he swallowed his own ire. It wouldn’t do for him to storm through the temple in a temper.

It took him just a few minutes to reach the offices of the Council of Reassignment. Master Lyro Veros was standing with Master Jocasta Nu near the open door of his office. Jaro hadn’t had a reason to be in the offices in question since he’d accepted his last apprentice nearly two decades before, but shortly after knighting Wilaj Kymra he’d reported to the Council of Reassignment to update his own records and add a few stipulations to the criteria he had regarding future padawan selections.

They both turned to look at him at the same moment and frowned. Jaro raised an eyebrow.

“Let me guess,” Lyro said sharply. “You’re here to let me know that you aren’t interested in taking on my charity case, either.”

“I beg your pardon?” Jaro questioned, gaze narrowing.

Jocasta cleared her throat. “Forgive him, Jaro, he’s had a very difficult morning already and the sun as barely risen. Are you here for him or were you looking for me?”

“Considering the circumstances, I’d like to sit down with you both in private,” Jaro said.

Lyro took a deep breath. “You should fit on my sofa.”

Jaro sent him a look but followed them into the office, ducking his head easily as he did so. At seven-foot-five, he was used to living in society designed for smaller individuals than himself. Jocasta pulled the door shut and activated the privacy filters. “I fit on most sofas.” He paused. “Sharing a sofa is often up for debate.” He sat since he knew it would make them both more comfortable with sharing the smaller space with him.

“How can I help you, Master Tapal?” Lyro questioned.

“What charity case?” Jaro questioned.

“Yoda is being…himself,” Jocasta said. “And we’re about to have a serious conflict that could end with one of us leaving the High Council.”

Jaro nodded. “Is this about Obi-Wan Kenobi?”

“Yes,” Jocasta said.

“I assumed you were here to tell me you weren’t interested in meeting him,” Lyro said. “The other masters that were previously very interested are no longer available—two because they’ve already made other selections, three because they suddenly don’t have the time for a padawan, and finally one who wants no part of my charity case.”

“Why is the student currently at the top of his session considered a charity case?” Jaro questioned.

“Because he humiliated Qui-Gon Jinn,” Lyro said frankly. “And Yoda plays dirty.”

“The three masters that might have said yes don’t have the time because they were all reassigned to long term off-world postings by the Council of Reconciliation and left the planet before I even woke up this morning,” Jocasta said. “I told the Council yesterday that I would offer to make Obi-Wan my padawan if no one else would, you see.”

“So, he’s trying to oust you as Master of the Order?” Jaro questioned.

“I certainly couldn’t do the job and have a student Obi-Wan’s age. He’s young and vulnerable due to his growing empathy. I imagine he thinks it would be a punishment, but I don’t enjoy being on the Council and I only took on the Master of the Order position because none of the others wanted to do it,” Jocasta said. “Maybe he’s just trying to remove obstacles to his plans, and he doesn’t believe I’d actually offer to take an apprentice at my age. Has he approached you?”

Jaro considered how to answer that question and shrugged. “I didn’t spend the night in my own room last night and only returned there for a change of clothes and shower before going to Yaddle’s quarters for breakfast. And the Council of Reconciliation wouldn’t presume to give me an assignment without an extensive discussion. I’ve walked the path of a Guardian since I was knighted and have rarely been called upon to work in the diplomatic corps.”

“I’m torn between asking where you were and not asking so I can speculate as a form of entertainment,” Lyro said.

“Speculate as you will,” Jaro said. “I won’t be pushed aside by Yoda or Qui-Gon Jinn. Moreover, I don’t think either will try. Yoda hasn’t injected himself in my life since Yaddle took me as a padawan. I’m sure he’d like to but as far as I know, he’s never argued with her.”

“They are, at this point, the last of their kind,” Jocasta said. “He found her when she was an infant and brought her to the Temple. No one was told where she came from, but she was so small that she still lived in water most of the time. They’re very secretive about their species and how they’re created.” Her mouth quirked. “The story is that he brought her back to the Temple in a soup bowl.”

Jaro nodded. “I’ve heard the same.” He paused. “I’ve also heard he still has that bowl.”

Lyro laughed briefly. “I’m so irritated with him, but also, it’s not like his behavior is new. He’s always done exactly what he wants and claims it’s the will of the Force.” He rubbed his face. “I don’t think Obi-Wan will accept either of us easily, Jocasta. It’ll look like pity to him and that would be such an insulting circumstance. He doesn’t deserve any of this.”

Jaro considered that. “Do you think that Yoda will continue to pressure him to accept Qui-Gon Jinn as his master?”

“Qui-Gon doesn’t want a padawan at all,” Jocasta said. “Yoda is trying to manipulate him into accepting one as a method of healing.”

“Children are not meant to solve the problems of adults,” Jaro said. “Obi-Wan will be in class shortly, correct?”

“Yes,” Lyro picked up a datapad and made a face. “Poor kid’s got astronavigation first thing in the morning. They shouldn’t be allowed to teach that class before lunch.”

“I’d like to meet with him in private,” Jaro said. “The public spectacle he’s already endured is quite enough, I should think.”

“It’s clear that Qui-Gon intended to reject him in public to make a point to Yoda,” Jocasta said. “And didn’t care at all how it would impact Obi-Wan. It must have been like getting punched in the groin to be bluntly rejected by a twelve-year-old boy.”

“I really hope so,” Lyro said and shrugged when they both looked at him. “Honesty is my daily gift to the Force.”

Jaro focused on Jocasta. “We’re supposed to give the Force daily gifts?”

She took a sip of tea. “If so, I’m in trouble, and far behind in my gift giving.”

“You?” Jaro huffed. “I’m nineteen years older than you.”

She grinned. “Shall I go rescue young Obi-Wan from the wonders of navigating a spacecraft?”

“There’s no telling what kind of response that would garner from his peers,” Lyro said. “They’ll probably think you’re going to toss him out into the street. It would be best if I send an assistant to retrieve him.”

* * * *

Obi-Wan slid his datapad into his satchel as he left his desk and ignored the smug look that Bruck sent his way. He’d never been more tempted to throw an obscene hand gesture in his whole life. But he’d been raised better, and he’d never want to shame Matron Sheva, who had managed the crèche the whole time he’d been there.

He followed the young Jedi Knight who hadn’t bothered to introduce himself through the temple and hesitated only briefly at the entry of Jedi Master’s living quarters. If he was being taken to Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan vowed on his whole soul that he was going to have a complete and well-deserved tantrum.

They stopped at a door and the man rang the chime. He stepped back and tucked his hands behind his back so Obi-Wan followed suit for fear of insulting who was on the other side of the door. He barely refrained from gaping in shock when the door opened, and Master Yaddle was revealed.

“Ah, Obi-Wan, come.” She motioned him inside and shooed his escort away without speaking to him directly.

Obi-Wan followed her into the apartment hesitantly. She paused at a short table where a collection of plants were situated. He decided to keep his hands tucked behind his back to avoid killing anything.

“So, about Petey.”

Obi-Wan groaned. “Master Yaddle.”

“Are you whining?” she questioned.

“Of course not, that would be immature,” Obi-Wan protested. “I didn’t mean to kill that plant. How was I to know that it had to be pruned in the dark? It was sad. I was just trying to make it happy.”

She nodded. “They get sad—it’s part of hunting process.”

“What?” Obi-Wan questioned in growing alarm.

“Siren ferns are parasites,” Yaddle explained. “All of their behaviors are designed to encourage the production of their food.”

“What do they eat?” Obi-Wan questioned. “And why was Garen allowed to bring it into our dorm?”

“They are also called Heart Traps,” Yaddle said in amusement. “Garen was allowed to bring the fern back to the dorm from the shopping center because they are essentially harmless. They merely feed on emotional energy that sapient creatures throw off during the course of their day.”

“I can’t believe I gave him credits to buy a replacement,” Obi-Wan muttered. “The new one will probably evolve into a carnivore and avenge Petey.”

Yaddle laughed.

Obi-Wan watched her fiddle with her plants for several minutes. He felt like he was being tested and he’d cultivated patience for years since it wasn’t a natural circumstance for him. Finally, she hummed under her breath and plucked a single leaf from one of the plants, ate it, and made a face.

“Terrible,” she declared. “Perhaps another month.” Yaddle turned to face him. “You have a guest on my balcony.” She motioned toward a pair of doors.

Obi-Wan took a deep breath and nodded. He didn’t think that Master Yaddle, of all people, would ambush him with Qui-Gon Jinn. He paused in the open doors and stared in shock. He’d heard, but oddly hadn’t seen any visual evidence of the fact, that Master Jaro Tapal had returned to the temple. The Lasat Jedi Master was a legend—a Guardian of the Jedi Order who worked as a peacekeeper out in the galaxy. He’d already trained two padawans since his own knighting. Obi-Wan glanced back at Master Yaddle and she shooed him out onto the balcony with a hand.

He looked back onto the balcony and found Master Tapal staring at him. Obi-Wan flushed and walked outside. The balcony was above the central courtyard of the temple, so they had a decent view of the cultivated grass and the potted trees that they weren’t allowed to climb around in. Obi-Wan took the seat he was pointed to and put his satchel down on the floor beside the chair.

“Good morning, Master Tapal.”

“The droids in the academy refectory reported to the academy monitoring system that you didn’t eat breakfast this morning,” Master Tapal said. “Do you normally skip your first meal of the day?”

“I had a meal bar, sir, since I went to retrieve credits from my personal account to give to my dormmate so he could replace the plant I killed last week.” Obi-Wan bit down on his lip. “By accident. I killed it by accident. I didn’t know a siren fern had to be pruned in the dark. I don’t run around murdering any plants, semi-sentient or not.”

“I was allowed exactly one week of access to Yaddle’s plants before I was forbidden from going near them for the rest of my life,” Master Tapal said and Obi-Wan relaxed. “As you know, I don’t live or work in the temple. I educated both of my previous padawans starting at the age of twelve in private. My first, Jos Frantar, followed the Sentinel path and the second, Wilaj Kymra, joined the Consulars.”

“I took lightsaber instruction from Master Frantar last year,” Obi-Wan said. “I really enjoyed it, but she pushed me into the next level of course work six months ago.”

“Jos told me that you were a diligent student with a great deal of untapped talent. I believe if she didn’t already have a padawan, she’d have offered you such an opportunity.”

He desperately wished he wasn’t blushing, but his face felt like it was on fire. “It would’ve certainly been an honor, sir.”

Master Tapal nodded. “Jos has a great lineage ahead of her and I’m pleased to be a part of it. She recommended that I review your records at the temple and observe you. I’ve done so.”

“I didn’t notice….” Obi-Wan took a deep breath. He was glad not to have noticed because he would’ve been a nervous wreck. “Thank you for your attention, sir.” He leaned forward a bit. “What do I need to work on?”

Master Tapal laughed. “Ah, I barely remember being so open to criticism. It’s charming. You tell me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, what do you need to work on?”

“I was told this morning that I’m indiscrete,” Obi-Wan confessed. “But I wasn’t the one that initiated that conversation in public, Master Tapal. Master Jinn clearly intended to put me on the spot in some fashion or another.”

“I’m told he intended on rejecting you publicly,” Master Tapal said. “How does that make you feel?”

“I’m not surprised at all,” Obi-Wan murmured. “It would’ve been a cruel thing to do since everyone knew he was evaluating me for an apprenticeship. I don’t know what I’ve done to him to earn that kind of treatment. I’m left to assume it’s about Master Yoda’s manipulation of the situation. I don’t think he cares what either Master Jinn or I want.”

“Why did you reject him?” Master Tapal questioned.

“He makes me really uncomfortable,” Obi-Wan said. “He’s so bitter and mean to himself on the inside. Even if I wanted to make him feel better, I certainly don’t have the skills to do it.”

“It’s not your job,” Master Tapal said. “And never think for a moment that it was, no matter what happens to him. I don’t know if you’ve been told, but Master Nu has ordered Qui-Gon Jinn to have no contact with you at all until the day you’re knighted.”

“It’s relieving, but I don’t know if I trust that he’ll adhere to it,” Obi-Wan admitted. “He has a history of doing exactly what he wants, and I think Grand Master Yoda will enable him.” He paused. “I worry a lot. That’s probably something to work on. I’ve been reading about it, and I’ve been ruminating. I don’t think Jedi are supposed to have anxiety. I want to be a Jedi Knight, Master Tapal. It’s all I ever remember wanting, but it seems like Master Yoda is only going to allow it if I do exactly what he wants. What if he gets rid of Master Nu?”

“Yoda is…set in his ways,” Master Tapal said. “And he believes he’s always right, but he’s not dark. He won’t get rid of Jocasta Nu. Though I think she will leave the Council if he goes up against her the way it seems he might. That situation might cause some internal political issues that are nothing for you to worry about.”

He placed a shining yellow metal bead on the table between them. Obi-Wan stared it and took a deep breath.

“Before you pick that up,” Master Tapal began, “you need to understand what you’re saying yes to. Justice is my calling, Obi-Wan. I seek it actively every single day and will until I draw my last breath. I believe the innocent deserve to be protected. I find slavery to be an abomination and set myself against slavers every single chance I get. I’m currently hunting a Hutt clan. I fully intend to wipe them and their operation out from the ground up.

“My padawan must be willing to leave the temple, educate themselves in private, and be very good at managing their own time. Trips back to the temple will be few and far between if I have a single thing to say about it. When we are here, you’ll take any tests academic instructors wish for you to take—and you will excel. I rarely take assignments from any of the councils, but it has happened in the past.

“Your path with me would be nothing like the one you’d have with someone like Jocasta Nu. If you wish a purely Consular path, then she is the very valid choice you should seek. I know that she’s genuinely interested and willing to take you as her apprentice. Your strong Force sense would be well served in such a path.”

Obi-Wan stared at the bead then with a hand, he was relieved to find steady, he reached out and picked it up. “Recently, I finished reading a series of essays about the role of Alderaan in the shaping of the Republic as we know it today. When I finished reading those essays, I realized that their pacifism is largely a luxury that they can enjoy because people around them do the hard work for them.”

“That’s an interesting take,” Master Tapal said.

“So, as a Jedi Knight, I believe I should do for those who cannot do for themselves,” Obi-Wan murmured. “That feels like my calling.”

“Will you be my padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi?”

“I would be honored, Master Tapal,” Obi-Wan said and the Force moved inside of him with approval.

“Great!” Yaddle shouted from inside the apartment then to Obi-Wan’s horror she came out onto the balcony with a pair of shears in hand. “Let’s tame those curls.”

Master Tapal laughed when Obi-Wan looked toward him immediately for help. “It is a tradition—both of my padawans have received their first braid from Master Yaddle. Wilaj’s braid, since he has no hair of his own, was made entirely from a combination of my hair and Yaddle’s. Yours is so short that you’ll need a little help on that front as well.”

* * * *

He still had some curls as Yaddle had decided that cutting it all off would make him look like an escaped convict. Of course, now it was even more curly. He didn’t have a lot of hair to braid so in a move that startled him both his new master and grandmaster tied their own hair into his. The braid was beautiful, with just a single shining yellow bead. The end, wrapped neatly in leather, barely brushed against his shoulder. There was another piece of leather at the top from where Yaddle had added the new hair. He felt connected to both of them.

“Obi-Wan, I came as soon as I heard Bant talking about you getting an apprenticeship.”

He turned and found Quinlan standing beside him. The other boy grabbed his arm and pulled him across the room.

“What are you doing?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“I’ll help you escape,” the boy blurted out. “I can’t believe they made you accept an apprenticeship with Qui-Gon Jinn. Get your bag. We’ll both run.”

Obi-Wan laughed and stilled his friend. “They didn’t. Come now, did you hear me having a complete fit throughout the temple?”

Quinlan’s shoulders slumped. “I just finished up with accepting Master Tholme so running off after that was going to be kind of embarrassing.” His gaze narrowed then as they sat down on the bunk together. “Your braid is beautiful, Obi-Wan. Who did you apprentice with?”

“Master Jaro Tapal.”

Quinlan’s mouth dropped open. “Are you fucking serious?”

“Wow, watch your mouth,” Obi-Wan said with a laugh. “You’ll get in so much trouble with Master Vant if she catches you using foul language. So, you said yes to Master Tholme?”

“Yes, he’s arranging an apartment and I’m to pack up my things,” Quinlan said. “We’ll do my braid tonight since my hair texture will require some work. We talked about the cultural significance of my current hairstyle and the length. It was really nice that he respected my thoughts on it.”

“That is good,” Obi-Wan said and took a deep breath. “Quin, I’m leaving the temple. Master Tapal intends to educate me in private and I’ll return periodically for testing until I’m sixteen. We’ll be out in the galaxy exploring and destroying slavers and stuff.”

Quinlan grinned. “I’m so pleased for you. You have to send me comms as often as possible. I heard he has a great ship. Maybe you’ll get to learn to pilot it.” He jerked his head across the room where a large siren fern took up the entire top of Garen’s clothing storage. “Petey Too.”

Obi-Wan groaned. “It’s four times larger than the last one. It’s probably gonna eat someone, despite its natural inclinations. Also, Master Yaddle told me that it’s an empathic parasite.”

“Good thing we don’t live here anymore,” Quinlan said with a laugh. “It’ll be weird, though. We’ve been together since we were…really little.”

“Yeah,” Obi-Wan said and nudged him. “But we can comm. You’ll have to keep me up to date on whatever happens in the temple, at the very least. Also, thanks for trying to rescue me. You’re a real hero.”

Quinlan laughed and blushed. “Shut up.”

* * * *

Master Tapal’s starship, an AEG-77 Vigo named The Guardian, was docked in the temple spaceport. Obi-Wan had never seen it, but he’d certainly heard of it. Not many in the Order, Jedi Master or not, had their own personal ship. He’d been instructed to go to the departures waiting area, but to not enter the spaceport so he’d packed all of his stuff, said his goodbyes to his dormmates and Master Vant before doing as instructed.

He had a satchel and a duffel bag, so he’d had no problem carrying it to the temple’s private dock. Master Vant had given him a little bag of snacks, which he’d stuck in his satchel, and he was considering getting something to eat as he sat down in a small room connected to the large docking area.

Obi-Wan barely refrained from sighing when Master Yoda climbed up into the chair beside him.

“Told to apologize,” Master Yoda muttered.

“Well, with all due respect, I don’t want an apology if you don’t mean it, Master Yoda.”

“Lucky you are. With gimer stick, only adults hit,” Master Yoda said and Obi-Wan laughed. “Narrow focus I have.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “Do you think it’s because you’re old or because you’ve seen too much?”

“Know not,” Master Yoda admitted. “Seen a lot.”

“Lost a lot,” Obi-Wan said and Master Yoda sighed. “I’m not challenging.”

“What?” Master Yoda questioned.

“If you can’t get Master Jinn out of his head and forward facing with whatever you’ve already tried then he needs to be challenged to be better than he is. He needs someone, with very little Force sense ability, who will make him work for every single success. That isn’t me.” Obi-Wan took a deep breath. “I’d make him feel successful, in the beginning, but then he’d eventually come to realize that I did three or four times more work than he ever did during the course of the apprenticeship. I’m an overachiever, I strive to please my instructors to a detrimental degree, and I’ve a history of working myself ragged to succeed.”

Yoda hummed. “Wise beyond his years, Obi-Wan is.” He paused. “Hit me with my own gimer stick, Yaddle did.”

“You probably had it coming,” Obi-Wan said. “You should invite Master Starr back to the temple. I believe, and perhaps I’m wrong, that Master Jinn should be made to see the difference between Xanatos and Feemor Starr. Xanatos was always going to turn out exactly the way he did.”

“Destiny, you believe?”

“I think ultimately that corruption begins within and outside powers prey on that corruption for their own purposes. Maybe Xanatos could’ve been saved if he’d been made to see his own issues when he’d have had the resolve to resist the dark side. It can’t be left to chance, I suppose. I’ve been researching the construction of the personality.” He paused. “Since you told me I was arrogant and short-tempered, I figured I should work on myself. Humanoids are fragile in this regard as far as the science says. The psyche can be destroyed by trauma and loss. I don’t suppose your species is immune to such a thing either.”

“Suppose not,” Master Yoda said sullenly.

“I’m going to send Master Yaddle a comm and tell her you were pouting all over me,” Obi-Wan said.

“Threaten me not,” Master Yoda said firmly.

“Oh, that’s not a threat,” Obi-Wan said consolingly. “It’s statement of my intentions.” He smiled when he got a glare for his trouble. “So, as I was saying, I believe your entire living lineage needs mind healing and you should work on that.”

“Obi-Wan mean child,” Master Yoda declared. “High-handed I was. Sorry I am.” He left his seat with a little huff and trotted out of the room.

“I accept your begrudging apology!” Obi-Wan called after him with a laugh.

“Well done, Padawan.”

Obi-Wan and turned in his seat to find Master Tapal leaning on the wall behind the row of seats. He stood quickly. “Sir.”

“Of course, you went and declared yourself no sort of challenge,” Master Tapal shook his head. “Whatever shall I do with you?”

“I was just saying that a lazy, uninvolved master could coast through my apprenticeship with little to no effort because I’m not a problem,” Obi-Wan explained with as much wide-eyed innocence as he could muster. “That couldn’t possibly apply to you, Master Tapal.”

“Flattery is going to get you absolutely nowhere,” Master Tapal assured and Obi-Wan laughed. “Come along.”

“Yes, Master,” Obi-Wan said and picked up his bags.

The Guardian was big, but smaller than the only ship he’d ever been on. Well, the only ship he remembered being on. Obi-Wan knew that he came from a planet called Stewjon and that he’d been brought to the temple on Coruscant as an infant. He didn’t remember that trip. Shortly before he’d started the academy, he’d gone to Ilum and sought his kyber crystal. It had been an exciting and very rewarding experience. He wondered if he needed to remind Master Tapal, he still had a training lightsaber, but decided that he needed to just let everything happen as it should.

They entered the ship using a boarding ramp at the port side of the ship.

“The Guardian has three floors and since acquiring it, forty-two years ago, I’ve retrofitted it to fit myself and my needs. At one time it had a two-level hangar bay, but I sold off the auxiliary starships that came with it so I could use those credits for renovations and upgrades. Both of my previous padawans helped with the physical labor. The first floor contains the bridge, our quarters, engineering access, a medbay, and access to the training arena I made out of the old hangar bay. The hangar bay is central to the ship and is three floors high.

“The second floor is for storage and an extensive armory. I’ve been collecting weapons since I was a padawan myself. You will learn to use all of them as we train. My goal, Obi-Wan, will be to make sure you’re never defenseless. At one time, the ship had six manual turrets. I’ve replaced all of those with laser cannons that I can control from the bridge.

“The third floor has the observation deck, a recreation area, a kitchen, and guest quarters for eight passengers. Though, I’ve transported nearly a hundred in an emergency situation and have a whole storage room of sleep sacks and supplies necessary to meet that need. I’m currently running a class .5 hyperspace engine.”

Obi-Wan made a strangled noise. “What?”

A .5 class hyperspace engine was the fastest available on the market and as expensive as many ships. They often ended up in military or priority transport ships.

Master Tapal laughed. “A gift from a very grateful executive from Corellian Engineering Corporation five years ago. I retrieved his kidnapped daughter and he refused to be dissuaded. As he said, the faster I can go the more I can do to prevent terrible things from happening. He also upgraded my forward plasma cannons. The hull is armored which can make it a little heavy on the piloting front in atmosphere and my most recent upgrade was a deflector shield generator.

“The shipboard AI was created by my second padawan, Wilaj Kymra, and her name is Enid.” He cleared his throat. “Enid, this is Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi. He is my new apprentice.”

“Good afternoon, Obi-Wan,” a soothing female voice said and Obi-Wan glanced around the ship to find a small camera gently moving as it inspected him.

“Good afternoon, Enid. I’m pleased to meet you. How are you?”

“We are ship shape, young one. The mechanical techs in the temple spaceport have taken care of all of the issues I’d identified upon our arrival. Jaro, the crew is ready to meet him. They’re quite excited.”

Crew, Obi-Wan mouthed to himself and followed along behind his laughing master. The ramp closed with just a little creak.

“I see they didn’t fix that,” Master Tapal muttered.

“There are no diagnostic problems,” Enid explained. “The ramp is operating at optimal levels. The tech did suggest an outright replacement and I declined as I like that ramp just fine as it is.”

Master Tapal made a face. “The engineering section is aft and takes up all three floors. There is first and second floor access through a series of ladders.” He waved ahead of them as they exited the small hallway. “I didn’t have to change the height of the ceilings, but I did replace all of the entryways and doors for my own comfort. I acquired the ship in the final year of Jos’ apprenticeship, but she was just under six-feet at the time. This is the training arena.”

It was bigger than the ones he’d used in the temple, but he’d always been restricted to junior facilities. He looked up and noted that the roof was made entirely of metal vents.

“At one time, the ship had two lifts. I removed one and sold it for more credits.”

“Upgrades,” Obi-Wan said in amusement.

“Yes,” Master Tapal said. “Many of our fellow Jedi find my fondness for my ship quite baffling.”

“That’s because they don’t have one,” Obi-Wan said. “You don’t know what you’re missing until you get something great.”

“Agreed. My quarters are on the portside and yours are starboard.” He motioned across the training arena. “Go ahead and drop off your bags then I’ll introduce you to the crew.”

“Crew,” Obi-Wan muttered, but trotted after his master.

“You have your own vac and shower. I expect you to keep your space neat and orderly. There is a stationary cleaning droid for clothes and linens in the rec area. You also have a cloak closet with a built in cleaning function for outdoor gear. We have a synth for food as I can’t cook to save my life. I blame Yaddle as she can’t cook either and thought learning was a waste of time.” He paused. “But she can and will eat her food while it’s still alive, so there’s that.”

“Ugh,” Obi-Wan said and his master laughed. “I once saw Master Yoda eat a whole frog. But it wasn’t moving I don’t know if it was still alive.”

“It was,” Master Tapal assured. “He just uses stasis to comfort those around him when he eats live food.” He opened the door. “Outside of an emergency, I won’t enter your quarters without notification and waiting for an answer. I expect the same consideration from you.”

“Yes, sir,” Obi-Wan said and put his bags on a full bed. “I’ve never had my own room before.”

“You’re on the road to adulthood, Obi-Wan, and that’s exactly how I will treat you,” Master Tapal said. “Are you in puberty and do you know how long it will last?”

Obi-Wan blushed and barely refrained from patting his cheeks. “Yes, sir, and most Human males are fully sexually mature around the age of seventeen.”

“You finished your sex education course last year, correct?”

“Yes, sir,” Obi-Wan said.

“I’m very grateful,” Master Tapal said wryly and Obi-Wan laughed. “It is my preference that you do not engage in any sort of sexual contact until which time you are sexually mature. But I realize that’s unrealistic. Any exploration you do on that subject should be with individuals who are at your maturity level for their species. Master Nu tells me that you’re probably going to be traditionally attractive for your species so you will garner attention from many as we travel.

“If an adult expresses sexual interest in you, I expect to be told immediately. You don’t have a birth control implant, correct?”

“I’m gonna die if this conversation doesn’t stop!” Obi-Wan exclaimed and Master Tapal laughed. “Seriously. What happened to the long, drawn out, epically boring speeches about chastity and being one with the Force with a pure heart and body?”

“That’s fine, I requisitioned one for you,” Master Tapal said blithely. “Come along, we can discuss this further when you’ve calmed down. Just know that you can ask me anything and I won’t judge you for your very reasonable and acceptable urges. Within the Jedi Order we are expected to focus all of our emotional attachment on the organization itself and the public talking points are agonizingly obtuse. We must always be able to put our duty to the Force before our personal desires, but that doesn’t mean you must remain alone in this galaxy your whole life.”

“That’s an interesting distinction—duty to the Force versus duty to the Jedi Order.”

Master Tapal smiled. “Where do you get your power, Obi-Wan?”

“From the Force, sir.”

“Exactly. Organizations come and go, Padawan, and only the Force is eternal.” Master Tapal inclined his head and walked away.

Obi-Wan glanced around his room just once more with a smile before he trotted out to follow his master. “I’m kind of overwhelmed.”

“I know,” Master Tapal said. “Did you want to spend a few more days on Coruscant to get used to everything?”

“No, Master, let’s get out there and find some trouble.”

Master Tapal hummed. “Ah, well, we’ll keep it pretty easy for a bit. I was recently told that a friend of mine hasn’t been heard from in a while and we’re going to look for him. We might have to complete his mission as well if things have taken a very terrible turn.”

Obi-Wan followed Master Tapal onto the bridge and found four droids standing in a row. The crew, he realized, and was relieved because he had no idea how he was going to ask Master Tapal how he paid a crew to run his ship.

“Everyone this is my new padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Obi-Wan this is the crew of the Guardian. Twobit is a modified 2-1B medical droid, and he took it upon himself many years ago to become the quartermaster for the ship. RT-A4 prefers to be called Ace. He is programmed for navigation and piloting though I rarely let him pilot my ship.” The RT unit made a sad little beep in response. “And finally, the twins—Tink and Clank. The pit droids came with the ship and were already programmed for engineering and ship repair. The girls are territorial about engineering, but they are good droids, nonetheless. Ace used to be in the temple on Coruscant and joined the ship crew seventeen years ago because he was bored. I rescued Twobit from a brothel on Hosnian Prime fifteen years ago.”

“Really, sir?” Twobit questioned. “In my recollection, I rescued you.”

“As you say, Twobit,” Master Tapal said. “All four droids are free, and I try to get rid of them every time I land on a Core world. They insist on staying, so I keep on paying their charging bills.”

Obi-Wan laughed.

 

 

Chapter 3

“While you were gathering your belongings, I visited the quartermaster,” Master Tapal said. “I also spoke with Master Veros and had your status changed, so your temple allowance will be increased to meet your needs in the field.”

“Thank you, sir.” Obi-Wan tried to avoid focusing on the small crate that his master had put on the table.

“Since you are in the field, I had your utility belt configured much like my own.” He opened the box. “You can go ahead and put it together so we can make sure it fits properly. You should wear it even on the ship unless you’re asleep. But keep it and your lightsaber within your reach even when you sleep.”

“Yes, sir.”

Obi-Wan pulled the box to him and pulled out the belt first. It was brown nerf leather, new but not so stiff that it would be uncomfortable. While he was certain that everything was in working order, he decided to inspect each piece before adding it to the belt. The first thing he picked up was his beacon transceiver. Part of him had started to wonder if he’d ever have one. He checked the battery and tucked it into place on the belt.

“I have a meeting on Hosnian Prime in the morning,” Master Tapal explained as he sipped his tea and watched Obi-Wan go through each piece of equipment. “I have a source getting me evidence on Czerka Arms’ slave syndicate. They operate within the Republic, so I’ll be passing that evidence on to the Senate for investigation. They have a committee on the subject.”

Obi-Wan tucked his grapple hook into his belt. “I’ve read about that committee recently. They’ve been a functional body within the Senate for three years and have seen exactly one person prosecuted.”

“Ah, the judgment in your tone,” Master Tapal said with a laugh. “I’ll also use the evidence to disrupt their operations in the Mid and Outer Rims, where the real work is being done. Often, criminals are prosecuted by local governments rather than by the Senate. I take their credits and free as many of their slaves as I can along the way. I’ve discovered the best way to ruin such operations is to make it fiscally impossible to operate.”

“What will you do with their credits?” Obi-Wan questioned and glanced around the ship. “More upgrades?”

Master Tapal laughed. “I have a credit account set up to help with relocation when I liberate people. Sometimes, they just need a way home, and other times, they need a home made for them. I have agreements with various worlds within the Republic to accept refugees. Master Masana Tide operates in the Outer Rim, and she also uses the credit account for her operations. She’s freed over a thousand slaves in the last six months alone.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “Then we definitely need to keep taking criminals’ money so she can do whatever she needs to do.” He paused. “Is it illegal to take their money?”

“No, I have a special dispensation from the Senate to confiscate funds and property as needed from illegal operations. It’s how I came to own the Guardian.”

“It used to belong to a criminal?”

“Yes, in fact, I took it from a Hutt syndicate. It was being used in a convoy to transport slaves. Masana and I confiscated three ships out of that operation. I took one, she took one, and we gave the third to the Jedi Order after we relocated all of the slaves.”

Obi-Wan nodded and finished putting the rest of his equipment on the belt. “Is there a bounty on your head?”

“Several dozen,” Master Tapal said. “Though I’ve never encountered a bounty hunter willing to take me on.”

Obi-Wan grinned as he ran his fingers over the various things on his belt. He hadn’t expected to get such equipment until he was at least sixteen. “I’ve never used a grappling hook. So, I’m looking forward to learning how to use it.”

“We’ll set up a training schedule. Your datapad should have an updated curriculum from the academy that you’ll be expected to handle in independent study. Of course, I’m available to you for any questions.” He checked his chronometer. “Let’s check the fit of the utility belt then you can have the evening free. I already have an orbital assignment from Hosnian Prime. We’ll sleep overnight in orbit then land for the meeting to save money on landing fees. While we’re there, we can do any shopping you might want.”

“I don’t know what I would buy,” Obi-Wan admitted as he stood and put the belt on. He had to pick the second slot for the buckle, but other than that, it settled naturally on his hips. “Perhaps some new pants.” He paused. “Certainly no plants.”

Master Tapal laughed. “No, probably not a good idea. We’d kill whatever you got between us, and it would get back to Yaddle. How do you normally spend your temple allowance?”

“My biggest expense has been books and other reading materials over the last two years,” Obi-Wan said. “Everything else I need, I received from the quartermaster. My best friend, Quinlan Vos, used to try to get me to go with him to buy clothes when we’d be allowed to take a trip to the shopping center. I might need a thicker cloak if we visit a cold world since I only have a standard robe. I outgrew the winter cloak I had when we took the trip to Ilum, so it went back to the crèche collection to be used again.”

Master Tapal nodded. “I have one more box from the quartermaster.” He put the small box on the table then and stood. “It’s for your lightsaber—a new power source and other elements required to update your lightsaber. I requested a charging port and two extra power cells. The galaxy is dangerous, Obi-Wan, and I need you to be prepared to defend your life no matter the circumstances.”

Obi-Wan nodded and pulled the box to him. “I understand, sir.”

“How does the belt feel?”

Obi-Wan unhooked his lightsaber and put it down on the table. “Like it belongs exactly where it is, Master.”

“Good,” Master Tapal said. “I’ll check your work on the lightsaber in the morning. Sleep well.”

Obi-Wan sat down and watched his master walk away. His life had changed so drastically in just a few days, but he felt like he was adjusting well. Yet, as he started to take his lightsaber apart, tears unexpectedly welled in his eyes. He wiped hastily at his eyes with the back of his hand and took a deep breath to steady himself. But his breath hitched, and he realized he should probably go to his room to complete his final task of the day.

A large, warm hand settled on his shoulder, and he turned to find Master Tapal kneeling beside him. “Obi-Wan.”

“I….” He shook his head and stared at the pieces of his lightsaber. “My crystal came to me.”

“What?” Master Tapal questioned.

“It’s supposed to be personal and private—your journey to find your crystal. So, I’ve never shared it with anyone. But my crystal didn’t wait for me to find her—she found me.” Obi-Wan gently extracted the kyber crystal from his lightsaber, and it glowed happily in his hand. “I’m so pleased and honored to be here with you, Master Tapal. I never expected I’d get such an amazing opportunity. I’ve always thought one of the masters in the temple would train me.”

“The fact that Humans cry when they’re happy will never cease to startle me,” Master Tapal admitted, and Obi-Wan laughed.

“Yeah, it’s weird. But I’m unaccountably upset.”

“You’ve had a great many changes in a short period of time,” Master Tapal said. “Processing your emotions is important. If you’re worried that I’m going to ask you to pick a path for your life as a Jedi immediately, don’t. It is a process that may last the entire length of your apprenticeship. It’s my duty to guide you on that path.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “I trust you, Master Tapal.” The Force warmed him inside him. “I feel as if you’ve saved me from an immense amount of trauma, and I can’t explain it any better than that. I felt this looming sense of dread and literal heartbreak every single time I saw Master Jinn. I don’t think it would’ve ever been his intent, but he would’ve destroyed me by degrees until there was nothing left of who I am right now. I can’t expect to never change, but it wasn’t about that. I look forward to growing up…with you.” He turned to face Master Tapal. “I feel so safe with you, and it’s made me realize exactly how unsafe I felt before.”

The Force moved between them then and a gentle bond he didn’t expect to develop for months started to form between them. Obi-Wan watched his master’s eyes widen slightly as the older man processed what had happened.

Obi-Wan cleared his throat and focused on his crystal as it glowed in his hand. For a moment, the blue crystal sparkled, and light started to swirl around it. Then, it slowly shifted in the color spectrum and began to glow with a mixture of purple and blue.

“Indigo,” Master Tapal said. “Heightened intuition, a desire for genuine wisdom, and a deeply spiritual connection with the Force.”

Obi-Wan huffed a little in surprise. Kyber crystals could change colors over time, but he was surprised that it had happened to him at such a young age. “I think the Force is picking on me.”

Master Tapal hummed in a way that sounded like agreement and stood. “Finish your work and go to bed. Tomorrow, you’ll see yet another city-world full to the brim with corruption.”

“Sounds like fun,” Obi-Wan said, and his master laughed as he walked away.

* * * *

Jaro sat down in the pilot’s seat and rubbed his face.

“Problem, sir?” Twobit questioned as the droid joined him in the front of the bridge. “You seemed pleased to introduce the boy to the crew.”

“Being in the temple was unexpectedly stressful,” Jaro murmured.

“Tea?” Twobit questioned.

“No, I’ve already had more than enough for the day,” Jaro said. “Where’s Ace?”

“He’s charging but will be ready to monitor the bridge within the half hour. I’ve already charged for the week and will also be available to monitor the ship. Previously, we’d discussed upgrading my memory storage for additional programming. I’m open to it.”

Jaro considered that. “You were uncertain before.”

“Yes,” Twobit said slowly. “But the boy is very small and young.”

“I told you I was getting a new padawan,” Jaro said and turned to face the droid.

“Yes, but Wilaj was…bigger.”

“Ah, and already adult when you met him,” Jaro said and refocused his attention on the reports being generated by the cockpit’s computer. “Padawans normally enter apprenticeship between the ages of eleven and thirteen. Obi-Wan will be thirteen in just six months. Are the others worried?”

“No, sir, or at least they haven’t said. I’ve connected with the HoloNet to update my records on Human physiology and especially pediatric care. He’s still growing, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t make any mistakes regarding any medical issues he might encounter.” Twobit paused. “Will he be going into the field with you as Wilaj did?”

“Yes, most often so. There will be circumstances where it wouldn’t be appropriate. I, for instance, wouldn’t take him into a brothel at his current age.”

“But you’ll take him into dangerous situations?” Twobit questioned.

“Yes, I teach by example.”

“He’s a child,” Twobit said quietly.

“He’s a padawan and is already more dangerous than most adults he’ll come across,” Jaro explained. “He’s had nearly four years of combat training, Twobit. My job as a master will be to refine the skills he’s already been introduced to and guide Obi-Wan onto the path that serves him best as a Jedi Knight.” He paused and smiled. “I’ve never lost a padawan, nor have I had one grievously injured.”

“Of course.” Twobit started to talk away but then paused. “I meant no offense. I’m just programmed to worry, I suppose.”

“Concern for our safety is never inappropriate in my mind,” Jaro said. “I’m not offended, old friend.”

“Very well,” Twobit said. “Good night, Jaro.”

He was only alone for about five minutes before Ace rolled onto the bridge and stationed himself between the pilot and co-pilot seat where the navigation terminal was situated.

“We’re heading to Hosnian Prime. I’ve already reserved an orbital slot for the night and a docking berth for my meeting,” Jaro said. “Any ship concerns I need to be aware of?”

“Enid is satisfied with her current configuration,” Ace reported. “The boy has retired to his room. Should we make any changes to his quarters due to his size?”

“He’ll grow fast,” Jaro said. “And no, only make changes to his personal space at his request. His privacy is just as important as mine, so please don’t enter his quarters without permission.”

“I’ll pass the word,” Ace said.

Jaro stood. “Monitor communications and wake me if any ships get too close. We’ll need to be far more alert on that subject with such a young child on board. Children his age are highly valuable on the slave market—especially an educated one that could be utilized in a variety of businesses in the Mid and Outer Rim.”

“We should make it known that such ambitions would be fatal,” Ace retorted.

“Fear not,” Jaro said in amusement. “I have a reputation for being quite vicious when it comes to protecting the children in my care. Some people can’t even tolerate being on the same planet with me due to past interactions.”

“Good,” Ace said and plugged himself into the navigation console.

Jaro shook his head as he walked away from the R2 unit. He’d rarely met one that wasn’t casually mercenary, even if they were fresh off the factory floor. Ace’s program was several hundred years old, and he’d been moved to more than one platform, so he supposed he couldn’t blame RT programming for the droid’s personality. He wouldn’t be surprised to find that Ace used to be an assassin droid of some sort and that he was hiding from his enemies in an R2 unit.

The thought amused him so much that he laughed all the way to engineering. He used the ladder to climb up to the second level, as that was where the twins preferred to be if they weren’t working. They were sitting on a large work table playing a game of divot. He watched Tink as she threw the die, and her sister tossed her an obscene hand gesture at the outcome.

“Ladies,” Jaro said as he approached them. “Who’s winning?”

“I am,” Tink announced smugly. “As always. Did you need something, Jaro?”

“No, I’m just getting ready to settle in for the evening. Twobit has retired to the medical bay and Ace is monitoring the bridge,” Jaro said and leaned on the table, which was made to suit his height since it was technically his workspace. He rarely used it, preferring the workbench in his quarters. “Any issues?”

“Scrap reports that Master Tide found a very small Force-sensitive child on Raxus Secundus. Age undetermined, Human, female. She’s furious as the child appears to have been abandoned. There is no Jedi representative on the planet, but they’re supposed to have a program in place to protect Force-sensitive children who are not wanted by their families and see they are given proper care until a Jedi can retrieve them.” Clank balled a hand up in a fist and punched the air. “Master Tide is kicking butt over it and has already arranged for the child to be retrieved from her care.”

“As she should,” Jaro said. “Tell your brother to encourage Masana to reach out to me if she needs assistance.”

Clank nodded, grabbed the dice, and rolled. “Will do.”

Jaro glanced over the dice, shook his head, and walked away as Tink accused Clank of cheating. He laughed a little at the distinct sound of metal hitting metal, followed by a crash, indicating that one sister had launched themselves at the other and that they’d both tumbled off the table.

“No fighting, girls!” Jaro called out, and they both beeped apologetically in return.

He swung over the railing in the training arena and dropped back down to the first floor of the ship then went to his own quarters. Jaro shut the door, brushed his fingers over the control panel to lock it, and shrugged out of his robe. His comm station was blinking, so he played the single message he had. A hologram of his partner sprung up from the projector.

“Jaro, you’ll be pleased to know that you’re the talk of the temple. The fact that you basically stole the padawan that Yoda had declared to be the destiny of Qui-Gon Jinn is all anyone can talk about. Of course, several are of the opinion that the boy should’ve been shipped off to the Service Corps for rejecting Jinn in public.

“The last person to say that in front of me had no answer when I asked them why a child should be punished for being uncomfortable in the presence of an adult. Everyone knows that Jinn’s mental shielding is in shreds, and he’s projecting his grief all over the place. Yet, apparently, a boy should’ve been required to tolerate it when most adults around Jinn avoid him as much as possible.

“You should be on your way to Hosnian Prime. I haven’t heard anything new on that subject, but I’m keeping an eye on the situation. Ioan Tholme is doing the same. He’ll probably make a connection with you sooner rather than later since he’s managed to apprentice your padawan’s best friend. He likes to make sure that his padawans have at least one personal connection in their lives that they can trust. The work of a Shadow can be disheartening, as you know.

“I’ve reviewed all the communications I could find on Ky’s mission and did discover that he completed his priority mission on Cerea and forwarded information on three wanted felons to the Judicial Department. They’ve already acted on that information, and the individuals were arrested by local police forces. They’ll be extradited shortly. Before leaving Cerea, Ky told the Council that he had a lead on Wallanooga’s interest in investing in a slave syndicate being run by the Sennex Pirates, which is Masana’s hard target, and he intended on going to Bespin to make a connection with a source. That’s the last anyone heard from him.

“We both know that those Sennex bastards don’t need a Hutt investing in their operation, and Wallanooga’s credit account weighs more than he does, and he’s bordering on three tons. I’ve sent Masana a report and let her know that your Most Wanted Slug is now interacting with her Most Wanted Nerf Fucker. Her words, not mine.

“I can just picture your face right now. I already miss you, darling. Despite your rather hasty departure from Coruscant, I am ever so pleased that you have a new padawan. You’re always at your best and most alert when you have a child in your care. I shall worry about you less.

“I will review Ky’s reports, check the submitted navigational data, and send you anything else I find. I’m glad that you were in the temple and overheard the conversation about Ky. Otherwise, we might not have known he was missing for a very long time. He has a long-term assignment also on his agenda and many had already assumed he was on it. I’ve filed a complaint about that situation because we need to keep better track of each other for safety purposes.

“Even those that wander about the galaxy should probably start checking in once a quarter. I’ve left the conversation with Mana to you.

“Be safe, ruin lives as you will, and may the Force be with you, my love.”

“And with you,” Jaro murmured as the holo ended. He stilled the urge to watch it again.

His long-term relationship with Eeth Koth was no sort of secret, but they did make an effort to never rub it in anyone’s face and they were both heavily invested in serving the Force. He’d never had it tested, but Jaro hoped he could put his duty first if pressed to do so.

His datapad was also blinking, which meant that Eeth had probably already forwarded several reports to him. Ky Narec was a man who thrived on a schedule. Despite considering him a friend, Jaro was far more familiar with his Jedi Master. Mana Ushel, a Twi’lek, had been in the crèche with him and Eeth Koth. They’d shared a clan all the way through the Jedi Academy. Ky was her final padawan, and she was very fond of him.

He sat down at his desk, opened up a comm channel, and contacted one of his oldest friends to tell her that one of her former padawans was missing in a very hostile area of the Mid Rim. A connection was made almost immediately. For a Twi’lek, Mana was considered to be elderly at the age of eighty-five, but her kind was known to live upwards of 200 years if they were Force-sensitive.

“Ah, Jaro, you look distressingly young,” Mana said dryly as she sat with a cup of tea in hand. “Shall you come to Ossus to visit?”

“Are you enjoying climbing around in defunct temples?” Jaro questioned.

“As ever,” she admitted with a smile. “The history of our people will never cease to fascinate and please me. How can I help? Need a bit of research?”

“I have a padawan now—I’ll be making him do such things,” he admitted, and she laughed. “I didn’t want you to hear this from the Council or someone you barely know, Mana.” He cleared his throat. “Ky’s missing.”

“Missing?” she questioned and put aside her cup. “Tell me everything.”

“I’ll be forwarding you a report shortly that Eeth compiled with all the information we have,” Jaro said. “And I’m going to head to his last known location as soon as I can to start searching for him. Eeth is at the temple on Coruscant working on the issue. Ky has been missing for a month, and it went unnoticed.”

Mana glared for a moment, then took an overtly deep breath. “I’ll calm myself down and return to Coruscant. If you can’t find him within the week, I’ll join you in your search.”

Jaro nodded. “I’ll send you any data I get as I get it. I’ll be reviewing his navigational data and checking reports from various comm relays between Cerea and Bespin first. That will make sense once you’ve read what I’ll be sending you. He was on the trail of a pirate operation, so please be prepared for the worst.”

She nodded and closed her eyes briefly. “Of course. I’m glad you’re doing the searching personally, Jaro. Many others might have just decided him lost and never bother to search. Some are so invested in the will of the Force that they don’t bother to exercise their own free will. They accept loss far too easily.” She paused. “Does that make sense?”

“Yes, of course, it does,” Jaro said. “Master Yoda is essentially stagnate within the Order, and that mentality ebbs out from him. I doubt he knows how to be proactive at this point in his life. He just waits for Yaddle to move him. Yaddle is displeased with him. Our agreement with the Galactic Senate does not serve us or the Force. Perhaps it never did, even if it did give us peace.” He paused. “But the cost of peace is often way too high.”

“Certainly.” She sighed. “I’ll have tea with Yaddle soon so that she can tell me all about her displeasure.”

“It would be a relief,” Jaro said. “And in the meantime, I shall find your wayward boy.”

“He’s forty-five years old,” Mana said with an amused laugh.

“A babe amongst the stars,” Jaro said, and she laughed some more. He was pleased, at least, to relieve a bit of her stress. “When you’re on Coruscant, stop and talk to Jocasta about my padawan. Tell her I need a manual on raising a Human male. I neglected to get one.”

“Oh, Jaro, may the Force bless you,” Mana said and ended the connection, laughing at him.

He went to bed feeling very condescended to.

* * * *

Obi-Wan sat down at the desk in his room, fresh from a shower and let his hands rest on the desk as he considered what to do. Then grabbed his satchel. He put his datapad to the side, then pulled out a small holoprojector that had a series of stills of his friends. They’d taken them before he left the dorm and Quinlan had presented him with the projector as a gift.

He set it down next to his utility belt, which he’d left on the desk when he’d gone to take a shower.

“Enid, what time does Master Tapal start his day?”

“He keeps his ship clock synced with the Jedi Temple on Coruscant and rises at six o’clock every morning, meditates when time allows, and has his first meal of the day no less than an hour after waking,” the ship AI explained. “Shall I set an alarm for you as well?”

“Yes, please. Please wake me up at 5:30 every morning. I like to have at least fifteen minutes of time to myself after sleep to sort myself mentally for the day,” Obi-Wan said. “Do you know what the Force aspects are?”

“Yes, of course,” Enid said. “Jaro has educated me thoroughly on the Jedi.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “My affinity is the Unifying Force, so I have visions. Sometimes, they are extremely difficult for me, and I might have overt emotional responses. If I have Force events that cause objects in the room to move around, please let Master Tapal know.”

“Very well. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know,” Enid said. “Good night, Obi-Wan.”

“Good night, Enid,” Obi-Wan said as he picked up his utility belt. He stood and went to the bed. He put the belt and lightsaber on the nightstand, then crawled into bed.

 

 

Chapter 4

Obi-Wan was already seated at the table in the rec area with a plate full of food when Jaro entered. He got himself some caf and sat down at the table across from his padawan on the bench that he’d installed for himself. Obi-Wan’s feet were dangling from where he was perched on the other side of the table on one of the stools as he couldn’t quite reach the foot props, which were designed for an adult.

“Good morning, Master.”

“Good morning,” Jaro murmured and focused on his caf. “How long have you been awake?”

“Forty-five minutes,” Obi-Wan said. “I did my morning meditation session and sorted my thoughts since I tend to get a little mentally disorganized when I sleep. I rarely have prophetic dreams, but I do have visions due to my relationship with the Unifying Force. Master Yoda says I should always try to live in the moment and ignore what the Force tells me.”

“Never ignore the Force,” Jaro said firmly. “Ever. Visions are often ambiguous, yes, but that doesn’t mean they are worthless. The Force wouldn’t give them to you if they weren’t important in some fashion or another. Yoda’s position on the Unifying Force is offensive to many, but in your case, it is especially galling. In asking you to ignore your natural connection to a Force aspect, he’s asking you to sever part of your relationship with the power you’ve been gifted.”

“Like an amputation,” Obi-Wan said. “It’s…been hard. I just stopped talking about it. Though, sometimes, I still act on the very explicit things that I see, even if I don’t speak of the vision itself. It just works better that way.”

“Please feel free to share anything with me that you wish regarding your visions or relationship with the Unifying Force. My own affinity is with the Physical Force. Embracing my aspect improved all of my interactions with the Force, and I’ve always been grateful that Yaddle respected that. Her affinity is the Living Force, of course, and she’s exceptionally gifted.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “I was really hoping she wouldn’t hear about Petey. But nothing spreads faster in the temple than news you’d rather no one hear.”

“It’s always been that way,” Jaro said. “I need to review what the academy has sent me, as it’s been a while since I’ve had a padawan your age. My meeting on the planet will happen in two hours. It’ll be night at the location, and temperatures should be moderate. My source will pass me the information without direct interaction with me and will find us as we’re walking around the shopping district. If you notice them during the exchange, ignore them and everything they do.”

“It’s dangerous to cross anyone in the slave trade, right?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“Very dangerous, but for some, the risk is worth it. Slavery is an abomination, and there are many people out in the galaxy who work every single day to eradicate it. Some have died to stop it, and more will die in the future due to their dedication to the cause. For them, it will be worth it.”

“Would it be worth it to you?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“I would give my life to free a single slave,” Jaro said quietly. “But I will work to survive so I can free as many slaves as possible for as long as I can.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “It seems like more Jedi should do what you and Master Tide do.”

“There are many Jedi working on this problem outside of the Republic—but I’m the only one who is operating in and out of Republic space since I was chosen by the committee that you find so ineffectual. Before that, I worked exclusively in the Outer Rim with Masana Tide.”

“Was the committee your idea?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“No, they’re what I got stuck with when the High Council and the Supreme Chancellor got tired of hearing my complaints. I sent them weekly reports, complete with holovids, detailing one slavery operation after another. Eventually, they threw a committee, a mandate, and a budget at me.”

Obi-Wan grinned. “That sounds like attrition.”

“Applying pressure on an issue until you get an acceptable response is a perfectly reasonable thing to do,” Jaro said in amusement. “Disassemble your lightsaber after you finish your breakfast, and I’ll review your upgrades. Then we’ll go shopping and pretend we’re not getting very valuable information.”

“It’s like a spy mission,” Obi-Wan said cheerfully, and Jaro laughed.

He got up and retrieved a protein wrap to go with his caf.

“I saw that on the menu. I didn’t know what was in it, though,” Obi-Wan said. “It’s not a standard synth offering.”

“It’s my own creation. Nerf steak, bantha cheese, and eggs for the filling. The wrap is whole-grain flatbread. My diet is eighty-five percent protein. We’ll want to monitor your food intake and nutritional needs as your training regimen changes. You have a lean frame, but we can give you a physical edge when it comes to strength then compound it with the Force. The stronger you are, the better prepared you’ll be in a fight. Your goal in every single fight is to survive, Obi-Wan.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “Yes, Master.”

* * * *

Hosnian Prime was somehow seedier than Coruscant, and the popular opinion was that Coruscant was built on its own filth. It was true, of course. Most ecumenopolises were built on the garbage of their populace—thousands of years of garbage piled up and compacted until it looked like the ground. But it wasn’t. Obi-Wan was convinced the only readily available dirt on either world had been imported in potted trees and plants.

He followed Master Tapal through the shopping district. They’d already visited a surprisingly orderly and clean shop in the midst of a dirty alley where they’d purchased some clothing, most of it distinctly not the sort of thing a Jedi would wear, and had it couriered back to the Guardian via a droid service. It was nice not to have to carry his stuff around, which was one reason why he’d always hated going shopping with Quinlan.

Obi-Wan bought his friend a black cloak with lots of interior pockets as it looked like it would suit him, and Quinlan got cold. He didn’t know how he was going to get the garment to his best friend, but he figured it would get done one way or another. Things always seemed to work out when it came to his friendship with Quinlan Voss. He hoped it always would.

A Weequay male who was loudly meandering around the district chatting and smiling broadly to different stall keepers brushed past Master Tapal, hand wrapping briefly around his master’s wrist. Obi-Wan almost protested the contact but stilled as the two of them parted without his master even acknowledging the contact.

“Hey, pretty boy,” a voice said just as a hand wrapped around his arm and jerked him toward an alley.

Obi-Wan’s lightsaber snapped into his hand, ignited immediately, and he whipped it up between himself and the man even as Master Tapal turned with a furious hiss. “Let me go right now!”

The man released him and stumbled back. “Whoa!”

Master Tapal grabbed the man before he could fall and dragged him into the alley as Obi-Wan turned off his lightsaber. He hurried after them as he hooked his weapon back on his belt.

Master Tapal shoved the man face-first against a rusting metal wall. “Freelance or syndicate?”

“Freelance. I got a special request—Human male, sexually immature, pale skin, and blue eyes. He’s perfect. I’ll cut you in on half.” The man gasped as Master Tapal lifted him off the ground and slammed him against the wall again.

“Are you so stupid that you think you could convince a Jedi Master to sell his own padawan?”

“A padawan? I didn’t know what he was! I swear!” The man started to wiggle against Master Tapal’s hold and peed his pants.

Obi-Wan wondered if it was appropriate to feel sorry for the person who had tried to kidnap him for the slave trade.

“You cannot possibly think that I’d be fine with you targeting any child,” Master Tapal hissed and pulled out a comlink. “You’re under arrest for attempted kidnapping, suspicion of trafficking of sapient beings, and the physical assault of a minor. Congratulations, you’ve managed to collect two felonies and a misdemeanor on a Core world within the Galactic Republic.” He used his thumb to activate the comlink and demanded that a police droid find him immediately.

Obi-Wan frowned. “Which one was the misdemeanor?”

Master Tapal smiled down at him. “The one involving you.”

“That little prick drew a fucking laser sword on me, and I’m the one being charged with physical assault?” the man demanded.

Obi-Wan glared at him. “You still have all of your limbs, right? I could’ve cut your arm off. Can he be charged with verbally abusing me? I’m just twelve. I don’t appreciate being called a euphemism for a penis.”

A police droid flew into the alley at that point, followed by four security officers. Master Tapal passed the man over to the droid, who immediately restrained him and hauled him right off the ground then out of the alley. Obi-Wan tucked close to Master Tapal and listened as his master explained what had happened. One of the security officers left to go get security footage.

He watched Master Tapal pull out his identification then show it to the security officers, and they all sort of straightened up as if they were speaking with someone who could make their lives difficult. Maybe he could. Obi-Wan really didn’t know how it worked from day to day to be a Jedi Guardian. It was so fascinating that he wasn’t all that upset to be the subject of a targeted kidnapping attempt.

Obi-Wan made a mental note to research the whole topic of special requests and what that meant for the slave trade. It was probably going to make him sick and furious, but he wanted to be fully aware when it came to the cause that Master Tapal had taken for his own. Watching the man get taken away to face consequences for his actions was very satisfying. He rubbed his arm but stopped when Master Tapal turned toward him.

“Are you injured?”

“Just a bruise, I think. It hurts a little,” Obi-Wan admitted. “I’ll be fine, Master.”

Master Tapal stared for a moment, then nodded. He cupped Obi-Wan’s shoulder and guided him past the security officers. One of them smiled and offered Obi-Wan a small wave as they left. He waved back because he was not above reminding them that he was a kid, and maybe they’d be diligent about making sure the man stayed in prison for a while.

“It happened so quickly.”

“They’re very good at it,” Master Tapal said. “Moving quick, blending in, and disappearing with their target. Slavers take what they want with no care for anyone else. The credits they can make in the slave trade is intoxicating to some. There is a certain sort of cruel apathy attached to the slave trade. Some believe it can’t be stopped, so they might as well use it to make the money they need to survive.”

“I think I’m really sheltered,” Obi-Wan blurted out as he was guided toward the spaceport where the Guardian was docked.

“I know you are,” Master Tapal said wryly. “Don’t worry, Obi-Wan, it’s all part of our journey together.”

Obi-Wan nodded and was relieved when the ship came into sight. “It was correct to pull my weapon, right?”

“Yes, your response was very good. Some might have severed his limb out of instinct since he grabbed you hard enough to hurt. Your reflexes are great, but I’m pleased by your tempered response. Though, I would not be angry if you had cut off his arm as he should’ve kept his hands to himself, and I’ve never met a slaver who deserved any sort of consideration.”

Obi-Wan nodded.

Once on the ship, his master guided him right into the small infirmary, plucked him right off the floor, and put him on the examination table.

Obi-Wan glared before he could help himself.

“You’re too short,” Master Tapal said shortly. “Twobit, his arm hurts. A stalker made an attempt to take him. Apparently, he was a perfect fit for a special request.”

“I see,” Twobit said. “Is this person alive?”

“Yes, but arrested and being interrogated by planetary security forces,” Master Tapal said.

Obi-Wan shrugged out of his cloak, then his shirt, and endured a scan as he’d learned long ago that there was no arguing with an adult or a medical droid about potential injuries. Not seeking care when injured or in pain was considered a form of self-harm in the Jedi Order. He wondered why ignoring mental health issues wasn’t also considered self-harm. He watched Twobit scan his arm and program a hypospray in response.

“What are you giving him?”

“Bacta with a mild pain reducer,” Twobit said and pressed the hypospray to his arm. “As you always say, a proper Jedi does not neglect his body or ignore pain.”

Master Tapal nodded. “I was going to give you a little more time to get settled before broaching the topic again, but we need to talk about the birth control implant.”

Obi-Wan blushed. “I don’t intend to have intercourse, sir. I’m from Stewjon.” He wet his lips. “I identify as male, but I’m intersexed. It’s not something I would advertise as I’m sure it would make me even more attractive to slavers.”

“So much so that Stewjon has the most militantly guarded spaceports in the Deep Core,” Master Tapal said quietly. “I’ve heard of exactly one kidnapping from Stewjon in the last hundred years. The leader of the planet put out an immense bounty seeking the return of the child alive and the head of the person who kidnapped him. It led to the most dangerous and vigorous bounty hunt in recent history. An unnamed Mandalorian caught up with the kidnapper, killed him, and brought the child back to his parents. He only accepted a bounty for the kidnapper’s head as he refused to accept any sort of bounty for returning a child to their parents.”

“You admire that,” Obi-Wan said.

“Yes, I see honor in his actions,” Master Tapal said. “But also, I’m still irritated that he beat me to the kidnapper. Not that I would’ve accepted any sort of bounty.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “I understand. At any rate, I’m intersexed, and I’m not opposed to birth control. I just don’t know why it’s important to you.”

“The first time a person tried to sleep with me to gain a Force-sensitive child, I was startled,” Master Tapal said frankly. “The woman in question was furious to learn that I have a semi-permanent birth control implant, and I’ll never father a child naturally as long as it’s in place.”

“Why would she want…a child that she would eventually be encouraged to give to the Jedi Order?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“Plenty of Force-sensitive children don’t come to the Order and there is a market for them, especially in the Outer Rim.”

Obi-Wan made a face. “The galaxy is awful.”

“Yes,” Master Tapal said simply.

“We’ll be cleaning up the place for decades,” Obi-Wan muttered. “You should ask for a task force or a workgroup, Master. Maybe two—so Master Tide has people to boss around, too.”

“Maybe I should,” Master Tapal agreed with a smile.

“I’ve programmed the organic implant to prevent pregnancy and to prevent you from impregnating another. It will also pause menses,” Twobit interjected. “It is small, undetectable once deployed, and can last up to ten years. Once inside your body, it will wrap itself around a bone and remain there until it expires and disintegrates. It can’t be tampered with or removed.”

“That sounds expensive,” Obi-Wan said.

“It was supplied by the temple quartermaster,” Master Tapal said. “It is an option that all padawans and knights are offered, Obi-Wan. They might tell you to avoid sexual intimacy, but it is generally accepted that controlling an adult’s sex life is an immoral thing to do.”

Obi-Wan nodded and focused on the droid. “Okay, I think the full ten years is the best choice, and the pause on menses is great. Will it hurt?”

“No, just a little bit of pressure,” Twobit said as he pressed the hypospray against his uninjured upper arm and injected the implant. “Are you emotionally distressed by the attempted kidnapping? I’m programmed to help you process trauma.”

“I’m not traumatized,” Obi-Wan said as he pulled on his shirt and robe. “I pulled my lightsaber on him, and the guy peed his pants when Master Tapal grabbed him. He probably needs trauma counseling.”

“Did he really?” Master Tapal questioned and laughed. “I didn’t notice.”

Obi-Wan made a disgusted face and his master laughed some more. “I mean, a Lasat is as strong as a Wookiee, right?”

“And twice as vicious when provoked,” Twobit said. “Though I’ve yet to see him rip someone’s arm off and beat them with it, despite the fact that it is his favorite threat.”

“It’s certainly in the top five,” Master Tapal said.

“So, I’d probably get pretty scared if an angry Lasat started tossing me around like a stuffy doll,” Obi-Wan pointed out. “The Weequay male who gave you the information was very good. I wouldn’t have noticed him giving you anything at all if I hadn’t been watching for the interaction. He looked like a criminal.”

“He has grand aspirations in that arena,” Master Tapal said and picked him up again to put him down on the floor. “Twobit will install a step for you for future use.”

“Yes, of course,” Twobit said. “I requisitioned the medical table specifically to treat Jaro if he’s injured. I’ve already started adding Human options to all of my scanners and devices. The table was low on my list for the day since I didn’t expect the two of you to have an altercation while shopping.”

“It’s fine,” Obi-Wan assured. “Did our stuff get delivered?”

“Yes, the twins received the packages and put them away,” Twobit said.

“Thanks,” Obi-Wan said and followed his master out of the infirmary to the bridge.

He ran his hand along the edge of the holotable, then went to the cockpit area where Master Tapal had taken a seat.

“You can sit in the co-pilot’s seat, but you won’t be able to control the ship until you’ve had at least seventy-five hours in the flight simulator. You’ll learn to fly a variety of starcraft available to the Jedi Order, and there is a specific program for the Guardian.”

“I’ve had some lessons in the temple, but just for single-person craft in case of an emergency evacuation,” Obi-Wan said. “I do very well in the flight simulator.”

“I’ve read that in your records,” Master Tapal said.

“When did you read my file?” Obi-Wan questioned as they exited the space dock and very quickly left the planet. “At some point, can we go somewhere with trees that are planted in the ground?”

“Of course,” Master Tapal said. “I’ll even let you climb one, and I read your file six months ago for the first time. I’ve been monitoring your work at the academy since that point.”

Obi-Wan grinned. “I’ve never climbed a tree. It would be fun.” He cleared his throat. “Why does the criminal help you? He doesn’t deal in the slave trade?”

“No, he hates slavers,” Master Tapal said. “He was sold into slavery by his own parents as a child. He escaped, fled his homeworld, made himself a family out of a bunch of pirates, and now he runs around trying to be mastermind criminal.”

“At least he has a plan,” Obi-Wan said and his master offered him a smile. “Some people just flit around the galaxy without a thought in their head for the future. Where are we going?”

“I’m going to return to the orbital slot we have reserved since I took an eighteen-hour booking,” Master Tapal explained. “After I review the information I’ve received, I’ll create a report for the Senate committee and send the raw data to Masana. Then we can start looking for my friend.”

“How long has your friend been missing?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“Jedi Knight Ky Narec hasn’t reported to the temple in over a month. I did find out that he completed his mission and that he disappeared on his way to meet a contact. His Jedi Master has no idea where he is and hasn’t heard from him either. There are a few issues with the fact that he wasn’t officially noticed to be missing. That’s a matter that Master Eeth Koth is working on for me back on Coruscant.”

“How can I help?”

“I’ll send his navigational data and the location data from all the communications he sent to the temple to the holotable,” Master Tapal said. “You can start analyzing it. Your academic work in astronavigation was good, so let’s see how you handle it.”

“Yes, Master,” Obi-Wan said and left the co-pilot seat in favor of going to the holotable behind them.

The astromech, Ace, joined him.

“Hey, Ace,” Obi-Wan murmured. “Having a good day?”

“The twins won’t let me play divot with them. They say I cheat.”

“Do you?” Obi-Wan questioned, and his master laughed in the background.

“You have to cheat when you play the twins because that’s all they do. They were programmed by a criminal and Master Tapal just left them that way. They have no ethics.”

“Have you considered teaching them to be better?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“Their programming is static,” Ace said, and his tone sounded oddly sour despite being entirely digital. “And they can’t evolve from what they are. Master Tapal says that adding programming to them would change their personalities, and it would be like killing them, so he refuses. Meatbags have such weird ideas.”

Obi-Wan huffed and nudged the mech. “Don’t call us meatbags, Rust Bucket. For some people, reprogramming a droid isn’t a problem at all. They memory wipe them with no regard for their experiences or desires. Sometimes, I know, there is no choice if the program is corrupt, but when there is a choice, then a morally sound decision should be made. It’s just like with any other sentient life form. We need to make the best possible choice for them when we’re dealing with their behavior. For instance, I’m not going to ask Master Tapal to reprogram you for your disgusting speciesism.”

“Whatever, Tiny Meatbag.”

“I’m taller than you, Rust Bucket,” Obi-Wan retorted and nudged the mech again, even as his master laughed at them.

“Ace,” Twobit said as he crossed the bridge. “Behave yourself. Enid has a task list for you.”

“You’re not the boss of me,” Ace retorted.

“Ace,” Enid interjected. “Please go take care of your task list before we kick you off the ship when Jaro isn’t looking. If you think I won’t leave you on some barely industrial world to fend for yourself, then you are delusional.”

“We could sell him to a Jawa clan,” Obi-Wan suggested, and Ace poked him in the leg with his navigational probe before rolling away. “That didn’t hurt, Rust Bucket!”

“It will next time, Tiny Meatbag.”

Obi-Wan laughed and focused on the navigational data. Jedi Knight Ky Narec’s navigational reports were organized, and every bit of fuel he’d used was accounted for. It wasn’t a surprise since the Jedi Order would’ve been paying for his fuel.

“Who buys our fuel?”

“It’s paid for out of the budget we receive from the Senate,” Master Tapal said. “I rarely use the engine at full power unless I’m in an emergency situation to conserve fuel and preserve my budget. It keeps me from having to present to the committee in person. They won’t fuss about a budget overage if I’m in the midst of rescuing or arresting people.”

Obi-Wan nodded and focused on the data. “He was in the Semagi sector, which is far too close to the Moddell sector to be ignored.”

“Thoughts?” Master Tapal said.

“Moddell is full of hyperspace eddies and sinkholes. Unfortunately, it’s also full of hundreds of uninhabited systems. Do you know how well Master Narec did with astronavigation?”

“No,” Master Tapal nodded. “I can ask his master.” He activated the comm terminal on the holotable.

Very shortly, a woman’s hologram appeared in the center of the holotable.

“Jaro, any new data?”

“No, but I have a question. How was Ky’s astronavigational abilities?”

“Poor,” she admitted wryly. “He had to use an RT unit on every ship he piloted. Ky has a diagnosed mathematical disability, but we learned to work around it as much as possible during his education. Why?”

“This is Obi-Wan Kenobi, my padawan. Obi-Wan, this is Jedi Master Mana Ushel,” Master Tapal explained. “Obi-Wan noted that Ky was precariously close to the Moddell system.”

“Ah, hell,” Master Ushel muttered. “But as I said, he had an RT unit. There’s no way he didn’t.” She frowned. “Right?”

Obi-Wan took a deep breath, and they both focused on him. “The navigational data is reporting the craft as an Xg-1 Starwing with a Class 1.0 hyperspace engine, a Navcon computer system, and a Miradyne RCS-6 flight control computer. I looked up the plans for the ship since I’ve never seen one. It’s a single-seat starcraft with no docking port for an RT unit. He could have, in theory, put an RT unit in the storage area, but that doesn’t mean it would’ve had an input port.”

“No,” Master Ushel said quietly. “He wouldn’t have gone out of his way to ask for an RT unit for a ship not designed to take one, nor would he have asked for a different ship if there wasn’t an obvious replacement that he could see. Ky is uncomfortable admitting his disability. When I get my hands on that boy, he’s going to regret his life choices.”

“I’m going to send probes to the appropriate comm relays as I travel to see if I get any activity on his account,” Master Tapal said, and she nodded. “And I’ll check in with a contact on Bespin to see if Ky was seen there. I don’t want to waste time going in the wrong direction.”

“Thank you, Jaro. May the Force be with you,” Master Ushel said.

“And with you,” Master Tapal said and ended the holocomm. “That was a good catch, Padawan. Most would never question the knowledge of a Jedi Knight Ky’s age.”

“Thank you, Master.” Obi-Wan focused on the hyperspace lanes around Cerea and started plotting various scenarios mentally. “My own performance in astronavigation has always been a struggle. I’ve had to work three or four times harder than most of my peers to get appropriate grades. Or, at least, what I consider to be appropriate grades. Many just think they can leave that kind of thing to a droid and never worry about it at all.”

“The Moddell sector isn’t well-known by people from the Core,” Master Tapal said.

“I did a paper on hyperspace eddies last year, Master,” Obi-Wan said. “I find them kind of fascinating. Most of the data I found was from the Moddell system.”

“I’d like to read it,” Master Tapal said. “If you still have it.”

“Yes, sir, of course,” Obi-Wan said. “I’ve kept all of my research papers and essays.”

“Then send them to me,” Master Tapal said. “I’ll read them as I have time.”’

Obi-Wan nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Master Tapal started another comm and Obi-Wan was surprised to note that it was voice only. It was answered very quickly.

“Ah, Jaro, I see you’re denying me your handsome face.”

Obi-Wan glanced toward his master and found him shaking his head.

“Mila, are you at your Bespin residence currently?”

“Yes, are you coming to see me? I’d adore that.”

“The last time I visited, you tried to steal my lightsaber.”

“Don’t hold a grudge, sweetheart, I just wanted more of your time. I’d have given it back eventually. I have a new full-body holoprojector. Are you sure you don’t want to have a more intimate conversation?”

“No, because you’re certainly not wearing a stitch of clothing, and my new padawan is still a tween,” Master Tapal said dryly.

Obi-Wan huffed a little as his cheeks heated as the woman laughed loudly.

“Ah, well, how can I help?”

“Ky Narec was supposed to come to Bespin within the last month. Before I make that trip and waste time in my search for him, I was hoping you could tell me if you’d seen him.”

“I did, yes,” Mila said. “He’s on a slug hunt. I told him that it was a dangerous thing for him to do, being such a tiny human. He was delightful as ever, however, and promised to bring me some fresh blumfruit upon his return. When we spoke last, he was on his way to Bakura.”

“Do you know if he was traveling with a droid?”

“I helped with the stocking of his small ship, and there was no droid. I told him the next time he came to visit, he had to bring a craft I would fit in,” Mila said in an amused tone. “So, we could take a little trip together. Of course, he blushed and stuttered his way through an acceptance of my sweet offer.”

“I’m sure,” Master Tapal said wryly. “Have you met a being you won’t try to seduce?”

“Variety of the spice of life, Jaro. I can’t pine away waiting for you to succumb to my very luxurious charms. Besides, there is nothing more delicious in this galaxy than coaxing a Jedi out of their robes. You lot are always so eager and needy for attention.”

Master Tapal cleared his throat. “Tween, Mila. He has half a standard year before he’s even thirteen.”

“Human?”

“Yes,” Master Tapal said.

“Ah, well, I’ll behave for a few years at the very least. Speaking of charming Humans, Rael came through a few days ago and stayed in my quarters to avoid attention. I’ve forwarded a few reports for him to the temple. He was heading for Byss. He might be close enough to render assistance should you require backup. Of course, I’m available as well. You only ever need ask. I can have a fully crewed ship or two put under your command inside of forty-eight hours, no matter the circumstances or location.”

“Physical support isn’t needed, but if you could have any nearby ships in your organization search comm relays near them for any evidence of Ky’s code, I would be grateful.”

“Yes, of course. Tell Ky I still expect to get that blumfruit. Stay safe.”

The comm ended before Master Tapal could respond.

Obi-Wan was so curious he could hardly stand himself.

“Yaddle introduced me to Mila shortly after I was knighted,” Master Tapal said. “She’s well over 3,000 years old but refuses to give a specific age and is a Gen’Dai. She owns and operates a space station in orbit around Bespin. Her main business, however, involves a fleet of pleasure cruisers.”

“Pleasure cruisers.” Obi-Wan considered that and let the term flutter around in his brain. “She rents out yachts?”

“No, boy,” Master Tapal said with a laugh. “She runs a fleet of brothel ships and sells sex fantasy-based cruises.”

“There’s more sex in the galaxy than I was led to believe,” Obi-Wan confessed, and his master laughed. “Not a single instructor at the academy told me I’d run the risk of seeing naked people on a regular basis, either. Four different people on Hosnian Prime, in the market district, were barely wearing any clothes at all. I’ve only ever seen myself naked, Master Tapal, in real life. Even when I volunteered in the crèche, I never had to change nappies or bathe the little ones.”

His master grinned at him, and Obi-Wan huffed.

“This is serious,” Obi-Wan muttered and called up the Moddell sector and outlined the most obvious trip to be taken from Bespin to Bakura. “Without a droid, he’s going to stick with the major hyperspace lanes. That equals the Corellian Trade Spine to the Spar Trade Route to the Houche Run, then to the Bakura Trace, which would’ve taken him past Endor.”

“And right past the Endor Gate,” Master Tapal said and took a deep breath. “Right.”

The Endor Gate was a black hole, and it was a very dangerous navigational obstacle. He didn’t know how they’d be able to track Master Narec, if he’d been thrown off course by the blackhole. He could be far out into Wild Space, and that was a death sentence in the starcraft he’d been traveling in if he had mechanical issues or had run out of fuel.

 

 

Chapter 5

“Don’t fret,” Eeth said. “It wouldn’t have crossed my mind either. I also had no idea that Ky had a learning disability. The young provide a different perspective, and you’re lucky for it, in this case.”

Jaro nodded and watched his lover of decades shift around in the holo projection. “The crew likes him. Ace practically has a crush.”

“He’s already brought out the insults then,” Eeth said in amusement, and Jaro laughed. “Where are you heading first?”

“I’ve plotted a course that will take us along the same likely path that Ky would’ve taken. Without an RT unit, he’d have definitely stuck to major hyperspace lanes. I’ll focus on planets with no off-world communication options as he’d have reached out for help if he could’ve.”

“You’re working on the assumption that his ship went down then,” Eeth said.

“It’s either that or he ended up in Wild Space, and considering the size of his ship—he’s already dead,” Jaro said quietly. “Mila sent me a comm after our conversation with a list of items he stocked. He had three days of meals and another week of emergency rations. But that ship wouldn’t have had the fuel to maintain an environment for more than two weeks.”

“So, he’s either crashed on a primitive world, or he’s dead floating in space,” Eeth said.

“Yes,” Jaro agreed. “He’s a very rigid person when it comes to a schedule and regular communication.”

“Agreed,” Eeth said. “I reviewed his records with the temple and with the Council of Reconciliation. This is the longest he’s gone without a check in since he was knighted. I’ve already asked enough questions to earn myself a few dirty looks. They clearly dropped the ball and should’ve noticed he was missing.”

“Why do you think they didn’t?”

“Frankly, I think they were so busy with Yoda’s shenanigans involving your padawan that they neglected their actual duties.”

“So, he’s been interfering for quite a while then.”

“Yes, he’s been dissuading anyone from expressing any sort of interest in Obi-Wan Kenobi for at least a year, Jaro. He was very focused on making sure that Qui-Gon was given the best the academy had to offer, and that was Obi-Wan Kenobi.”

Jaro took a deep breath. “Yoda is fortunate Yaddle installed an immense amount of patience in me, or I’d have cursed him out before leaving Coruscant.”

“Yaddle confiscated his gimer stick,” Eeth said. “He’s been without it since shortly after you left the planet. Every time he asks for it back, she hits him with it.”

Jaro snorted. “I shouldn’t find that amusing.”

“You know she takes her grandmaster duties seriously and she’s already given Qui-Gon Jinn a severe dressing down for his behavior and intention to publicly demoralize the boy. The last time Jinn called Obi-Wan a brat in front of her, she kneecapped him with the gimer stick.”

“Shut up,” Jaro said with a laugh. “Are you serious?”

“So serious,” Eeth said in amusement. “He went to the infirmary to make sure she hadn’t broken it. It was just bruised, but he carried on like she’d maimed him for life. As of an hour ago, Yoda and Qui-Gon were plotting to steal the stick back from her. I don’t think that’s a good idea because she’ll probably just pull her lightsaber instead.”

“They get what they deserve,” Jaro said with a shrug.

“How is Obi-Wan?”

“Fascinating,” Jaro said. “Quiet and very sheltered. A slave stalker grabbed him yesterday in the market on Hosnian Prime. Before I could respond, Obi-Wan pulled his lightsaber on the man. He didn’t injure him, but the threat was so clear that the stalker immediately released him. His control in the situation was impressive.”

“Did you rip that stalker limb from limb?” Eeth questioned.

“I refrained, barely. It was infuriating. He said that Obi-Wan was the perfect fit for a special request and offered to cut me in for half the sale price,” Jaro said. “I made sure that the on-planet security services knew if he wasn’t prosecuted, I’d hunt him and them all down. I’ve already received a comm with a list of official charges.”

“A special request as in a padawan or?” Eeth questioned.

“His looks. The slaver claimed he’d have never tried to snatch a padawan and I believe that,” Jaro said. “At any rate, Obi-Wan’s in the rec area brooding about the amount of half-naked people he’s probably going to get exposed to. He’s a posh little thing with his very prim Coruscanti accent.”

Eeth laughed. “Well, those raised practically from the cradle in the crèche always sound like that.”

“I’m grateful for it. It means that no one would ever guess he’s actually from Stewjon.”

“Is he really?” Eeth questioned. “I hope that’s not in his citizenship records.”

“It’s not,” Jaro said. “I looked up his identification so I could prepare him an ID card and he’s listed as a citizen of Coruscant, and no parents are listed in the Republic records. It was probably done that way to hide his planet of origin.”

“Is he intersexed?”

“Yes,” Jaro said. “I wish I’d known in advance. It wouldn’t have changed my decision, but I’d have certainly checked his records in advance of leaving Coruscant for his own protection. He did consent to a birth control implant. Both of my previous padawans took them without a discussion at all, but he had questions.”

“Do you want me to ask around and figure out how he ended up like a little hothouse flower?” Eeth questioned.

“Oh, it’s clear how it happened,” Jaro said. “He’s very academically inclined, rarely spent his temple allowance, and when he did, it was on books. Apparently, his friends rarely got him to leave the temple to shop at all. Which makes sense. I took him into a clothes store, and he quickly picked out all the things he wanted and checked out within twenty minutes.”

Eeth laughed. “He’s already your favorite then.”

“I took longer, but in my defense, I was purchasing boots for you, as well. I had them shipped. I think you’ll be pleased,” Jaro said, and his partner nodded. “So, I have this sweet boy on my ship who may stay in a near-permanent state of mortification for next year.”

“I have a feeling he’ll adapt quickly,” Eeth said. “But if not, he couldn’t be in better hands. You’ve always done very well with the tender-hearted amongst us.”

“Thank you,” Jaro murmured. “Mana wants to join me if I take longer than a week. Can you dissuade her? If he’s dead, I don’t want her to be the one to find his body.”

“I can try, but the choice is hers,” Eeth said. “Would you want anyone else to recover the body of one of your padawans? Wouldn’t you want to take care of them yourself if it was at all possible?”

Jaro sighed. “She seemed fragile when we talked—older than I expected.”

“She’s already lived ten years longer than a Twi’lek normally does,” Eeth reminded. “She told me once that she’d be pleased to live to be a hundred. I’ll evaluate her and try to prepare her as much as I can for the worst.”

“I told her to expect it,” Jaro said roughly. “But of all the padawans she trained, he was clearly the favorite. From the beginning, she called him her legacy.”

“Who will be your legacy?” Eeth questioned.

Jaro considered that and smiled. “Yaddle told me that the day apprenticed me that she believed I would be her last apprentice and that it would be my duty to carry on her linage as all of her other padawans, but one, had passed and so had their padawans. Her remaining student, Oppo Rancisis, won’t train another apprentice. Though I don’t know why exactly. I’ve never asked. Myself and my padawans are her lineage at this point. I’m content with that and need no legacy of my own.”

“You know that you’re already a legend,” Eeth said and laughed when Jaro made a face. “Your work matters, and many see the satisfaction in a truly just cause.”

“Maybe one day, you can join me in my just cause again, and we can spend the rest of our lives hunting down the worst the galaxy has to offer,” Jaro murmured.

“Oh, certainly,” Eeth said. “The Force always brings me back to you, my love, never doubt it.”

* * * *

Obi-Wan paused in the entryway of the infirmary, surprised to find that Twobit was on the examination table. The droid was face down and Master Tapal had removed a panel on his back.

“Is he okay?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“Yes,” Master Tapal murmured as he worked. “He asked for a broader purpose chipset and more physical memory and ordered the upgrade parts he wanted while we were on Hosnian Prime. One of the stipulations of my allowing the droids to travel with me is that all of their maintenance and upgrades are either done by me or someone I trust. Twobit has permission to repair the others across the board, but the others cannot do anything to him without my oversight. Are you mechanically inclined?”

“I am,” Obi-Wan admitted. “Leaning more toward spacecraft and various other machines rather than droids. But I can start studying droid tech so that I can be of help if they need it.”

“Yes,” Master Tapal agreed. “The twins are prone to fighting, and they often need repairs.”

“So, they cheat each other and fight?” Obi-Wan questioned, and his master laughed. “And you just let them?”

“Yes,” Master Tapal said. “I could reprogram them, I suppose. They’re not especially sophisticated, and their personality matrix is simple. But I don’t find their behavior all that inconvenient, and they are sapient. I wouldn’t want to reprogram a sapient droid unless I had no choice. Reprogramming equals death for a droid. Additionally, a memory wipe, while sometimes necessary, is morally ambiguous at best.”

Obi-Wan nodded slowly. “A memory wipe is better than some form of destruction.”

“Exactly,” Master Tapal said. “Sometimes, we’ll be made to destroy droids just like we’ll have to take an organic life to survive or to protect others. But these actions should never be considered commonplace.”

“Do you think we’ll find Master Narec alive?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“I’m uncertain, but it’s heartening that his Jedi Master was surprised by the fact that he was missing. I know she kept their bond.”

“Do you still have bonds with your former padawans?”

“Yes, but I gave them the choice,” Master Tapal said as he focused on his task. “I can tell that they are generally at ease with their current circumstances, and I would reach out if I were concerned. Wilaj works in some delicate situations as a Jedi Consular and has, at times, muted our bond, but he’s never cut me off. I’d never do that to him either unless I had no choice.”

“And Master Frantar?”

“She keeps our bond wide open at all times,” Master Tapal said dryly. “At some point, after her knighting, she decided it was her job to keep track of me.”

Obi-Wan laughed.

“I broke my finger last year, and there were three messages from her before I could get to my comm station. She was precariously close to leaving the temple to come find me,” Master Tapal explained as he lifted away from his work. “I was saved from being cursed out by her by the fact that she’s far too proper an individual to ever curse out her master.” He paused. “So, she had Yaddle do it.”

“I suspected that Master Frantar was a great strategic thinker,” Obi-Wan said, and his master laughed. “And it’s relieving to know that Master Yaddle will work on my behalf when I’m irritated.”

“It will amuse you to know that your grandmaster stole Yoda’s gimer stick, and every time he asks for it—she hits him with it. She also kneecapped Master Jinn.”

Obi-Wan snorted, covered his mouth, and averted his gaze. “I shouldn’t be amused that she hurt them, right?”

“Ah, well, she’s not actually hurting them. She’s not that kind of person. What she is doing is demonstrating what it feels like to have no control over their circumstances. She’s acting against them with no care for their wishes and will continue to do so until they understand what they’ve done. It’s mostly a lesson for Yoda, but Master Jinn apparently put himself in her crosshairs by calling you a brat.”

“Ah, well, he wouldn’t be the first,” Obi-Wan said. “I got in trouble last year because of Bruck Chun’s foolish behavior. He was really getting on my nerves, so I pushed him down with the Force, and he tattled like a toddler in the crèche. And Master Bondara ordered me to apologize. And I did, after a fashion, but not the way he wanted. But I told him I couldn’t apologize the way he wanted because I wasn’t genuinely sorry to have pushed Bruck down, and I didn’t want to be a liar.”

“What was your apology?”

“I apologized to Master Bondara for Bruck wasting his time with his whiny and inappropriate attention seeking,” Obi-Wan confessed and grinned when his master burst out laughing. “And Master Bondara called me a little brat after I told him that was the only honest apology I could give. So, then I apologized to Bruck by saying that I was sorry that he was an annoying, thoughtless, nerf herder who didn’t know the difference between bravado and confidence.” He paused. “Then Bruck asked me what bravado meant, and Master Bondara told us both to go away immediately.”

“I suppose you both were made to explain yourselves to Yoda at that point,” Master Tapal said as he began to put the panel back into place.

“Yes, and I told Master Yoda that he shouldn’t be surprised that I resorted to using the Force in defense as that was exactly what we were taught to do and that Bruck continuously endangered my mental health with his inappropriate behavior. Master Yoda told me I had to meditate for an hour every single day for a week and come back to him with a better answer to his question.”

“And?” Master Tapal prodded even as he activated Twobit and stepped back.

“A week later, I told Master Yoda that the only real solution to my problem with Bruck would be for Bruck to be put into mental health counseling, and I couldn’t keep correcting his behavior for the staff as it was interrupting my studying. That’s when I was told that I was arrogant and short-tempered and needed to work on myself.”

“Were you short-tempered?”

“I don’t think so, but my perspective is obviously biased in my own favor,” Obi-Wan said. “I did endure his posturing and behavior for the better part of a decade before responding, yet no one acknowledged that sacrifice on my part.” He paused. “Not even when I pointed it out.”

“I’m going to eventually tolerate this tiny meatbag,” Ace declared as he bumped purposefully into Obi-Wan.

“I’ll probably get used to this rust bucket,” Obi-Wan retorted, and Master Tapal laughed.

“Do you believe yourself arrogant?”

“I’m confident in my abilities and understand my limitations,” Obi-Wan said. “Some people find confidence to be arrogant. It seems like we’re often encouraged to be dishonest within the Order when it comes to what we believe about ourselves. I’ve never been the sort to boast, but apparently, even being pleased with my own success is inappropriate.” He paused. “And really? Who isn’t pleased when they do well?”

“I’ve met a few people who appeared to be completely unaffected by both their successes and failures. I’ve found it very difficult to trust them as a result,” Master Tapal said and stepped back from the table as Twobit sat up. “How do you feel, old man?”

“I’m only one year older than you,” Twobit said and rocked his head back and forth carefully. “I need to do some file sorting, but the upgrades are being absorbed as expected.” The droid stood up from the table and flexed his hands. “I’ll be sorted in twenty minutes.”

“Take your time. We’re currently en route to Cerea. Ace, return to the cockpit and monitor traffic,” Master Tapal said. “Padawan, I’d like to see you move through the Soresu forms. Jos tells me I will be impressed.”

“No pressure,” Obi-Wan said, and his master just hummed under his breath as he guided him from the infirmary.

He went to the center of the training floor and took a moment to settle himself before drawing his lightsaber and activating it.

“I’m told that your Ataru and Makashi styles are also well-developed but that you favor Soresu,” Master Tapal said as he leaned on a wall near the back of the room.

Obi-Wan nodded as he started to move through the stances. It felt good to move his body in a way that was very familiar and comforting. “Ataru is aggressive and can be exhausting. I wouldn’t fall into that form unless I had no choice. Makashi is beautiful, and I enjoy the form a lot, but I think its field use would ultimately be limited. How often would I find myself fighting a single opponent?”

“Reasonable,” Master Tapal said.

“What is your preference?”

“Ataru and Jar’Kai,” Master Tapal said. “I most often use a saberstaff configuration with my lightsaber. I have a lot of physical power to bring to a fight, and it has always served me well to lean into it. Though I will refine your abilities in all the forms but one.”

“Juyo,” Obi-Wan guessed. “Though I assume you are allowed to use it yourself. Most masters of your level are.”

“I am, yes, but I’ve not used it in decades, and I didn’t teach it to either of my previous padawans. I didn’t fear teaching them such aggression would lead to their downfall. I just did not believe such a form would ever serve them. It won’t serve you either, as you are not the sort to be reckless, and it would be unnatural for you to engage in a form that encourages anger and reckless behavior.”

Obi-Wan nodded as he continued to move. “Do we have sparring remotes?”

“Yes, but I’d like to observe you for a while before we train with them. Your agility is good, and it’s clear you’ve practiced a lot.”

“I find it meditative,” Obi-Wan admitted. “I’ve been reading various essays on fighting principles and perspectives.”

“Do any appeal to you?”

“Sokan,” Obi-Wan said. “I’m unsure how I feel about a saberstaff or dual-wielding, though Master Frantar insisted that I try both. She’s very fond of her saberstaff for obvious reasons—she’s a sight to behold with it.”

“And a threat most would run from,” Master Tapal said. “Sometimes winning a fight without a fight is the best outcome. It prevents growing hostility, lowers the risk of injury in the field, and makes negotiating easier if that becomes required.”

Obi-Wan nodded and started the forms over again as he went through the last maneuver easily. Master Tapal joined him, and Obi-Wan matched his speed to his master’s after a few moments. They moved around the large room in tandem, and Obi-Wan noted that his master was slowing down, moving more precisely, so he followed suit.

“Very good form, but your footwork needs refinement,” Master Tapal murmured. “In the control of our bodies, we can control the Force that moves through us to a greater degree. The more deliberate we move within the embrace of the Force the more comfort and solace can be found when we release what hurts us to the universe.”

“Just the parts that hurt?” Obi-Wan questioned as his body started to drift into a near-meditative state.

“Emotions can motivate, control, and destroy us,” Master Tapal said. “To be one with the Force means that you learn to discern what you need to keep close and what you need to let go.”

“What about love?” Obi-Wan questioned and wondered how old he’d have to get to stop blushing. His cheeks felt so hot he was surprised that Twobit hadn’t trotted out to them to check his temperature.

“Love is a special circumstance. The current tenets would tell you to ignore it until it fades. But that’s unrealistic because love doesn’t fade. Love just changes. It can become something dark and ugly that twists up inside of you until you’re so corrupt you don’t remember what you used to be. It can become a consuming sort of hatred that leads to the dark side. It can turn into something obsessional and so damaging that you’ll destroy yourself and what you love.

“But, if you are careful with your love and keep it in a place of reverence, then it will be a great source of comfort all of your life. The path to the dark side is steeped in selfishness, hatred, obsession, and greed. Loving something or someone must come with the acceptance that you may not get to keep it or them in your life, Obi-Wan.”

“I understand,” Obi-Wan said and took several deep, measured breaths as they moved. “You can’t hold love hostage—it would become meaningless and something you could never trust.”

“Yes, well reasoned,” Master Tapal murmured. “Loss is part of life. I’ll outlive all but one of my students so far. It’s something I’ve come to accept. Though, I admit that I did consider only training padawans from species that would have long lives, so I’d never have to give one to the Force due to old age.”

Obi-Wan wondered if he should apologize for being part of such a short-lived species. “Sorry?”

Master Tapal laughed. “You should be. You’ll probably live 150 years if I’m lucky.”

“I’ll make it a goal,” Obi-Wan said. “I thought this would be stressful, you know.”

“Being a padawan?” Master Tapal questioned.

“Yes, everyone in the temple treats it like the only worthy goal a person at the academy can have, but even after achieving it, every single day was ripe with the potential to fail. I felt genuine shame at the idea that I might be sent to the AgriCorps. But I know the AgriCorps are actually the most valuable part of the Order. They grow our food, make most of our clothes, and provide financially for the entire Order through synth cartridge creation. I think we probably feed half the Republic.”

“More than,” Master Tapal said. “The whole synth food production is the work of the Jedi Order, and due to producing a superior product, we have eighty-seven percent of the market in and outside of the Republic. The Exploration Corps do their part on that front, spreading our synth technology far and wide.”

“I’d have probably destroyed the entire operation,” Obi-Wan said, and Master Tapal stopped moving as he started to laugh. “I’d have killed vast fields of plants just by looking at them, then I’d have been put in jail somewhere for plant mass murder.”

Master Tapal turned off his lightsaber, and Obi-Wan followed suit. “We’ll be at Cerea in roughly six hours. But I want to make a stop at the comm relay at Kinyen to check for messages in about a half hour.”

“Can I use the comm station in my room?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“It’s encrypted, so yes,” Master Tapal said. “Don’t try to remove the encryption for any reason. Never reveal our location or mission details.”

“Of course, sir. Thank you,” Obi-Wan said. “I have time to send Quinlan a comm about Hosnian Prime. He’s going to have a whole nerf when he finds out I almost got kidnapped.”

“He’s protective?” Master Tapal questioned.

“When he heard I was apprenticed, he didn’t get a name and thought the Council had forced me to accept Master Jinn. Quin came barging into our room, telling me to pack so we could run away from the Order.” Obi-Wan flushed when his master laughed. “So, he’s a little protective. He always has been.”

“He’s a Kiffar, correct?”

“Yes, Master.” Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow.

“They’re clan-oriented,” Master Tapal said. “And are very loyal to their clan. He probably latched onto you as a child in the crèche and claimed you as his clan on some instinctively level.”

“Oh, well, there was a thing when we were younger,” Obi-Wan admitted. “He was supposed to train on his homeworld with a Jedi Master, but his parents were murdered. So, he was brought to the crèche. He worried that Master Tholme might not offer to apprentice him since the circumstances had changed so much after Quinlan abdicated his claim to the Kiffu throne. He said he couldn’t ever trust anyone with his back on that world after his own blood murdered his parents.

“I offered to go there with him and help clean up the mess his aunt made so he could have his birthright,” he shrugged when Master Tapal looked his way. “It was a couple of years ago. Garen Muln helped us plan the whole thing. Someone should make sure he gets into a career in the planning of hostile takeovers because his plan was brilliant. At any rate, Bant said our coup plan was dangerous and too expensive, even if we pooled our temple allowances since she wouldn’t let us steal a starship. So, we’re keeping the whole thing in reserve at this point.”

Master Tapal stared for a moment and shook his head. “How often do the initiates sneak out of the temple to do something insane?”

“Only as often as they get caught trying, Master,” Obi-Wan said with a smile.

“Go compose your message before I change my mind about your access to such a device,” Master Tapal said firmly.

Obi-Wan trotted off toward his room immediately. He quickly settled in at this desk, set up the holorecording, and added Quinlan’s contact details to the terminal so it would be easier in the future to contact him. He’d have to add their other friends later.

“Hey, Quin. I have a personal terminal, so you can send messages or whatever as you have time. If you haven’t heard already, there was a minor incident on Hosnian Prime, and a slave stalker grabbed me. I got a bruise, and the guy got arrested after Master Tapal tossed him around like a stuffy doll for a bit. I did get praise for my measured response to the threat since I pulled my lightsaber but didn’t cut off his arm. But Master Tapal said he wouldn’t have been mad if I had out of instinct.

“I can’t talk about what we’re doing since I have to keep mission details to myself. I’m sure you understand exactly why. I did get to do some shopping on Hosnian Prime, and I saw a cloak I thought you would like since it has lots of interior pockets. We’ll figure out how to get it to you. I bought myself some utility pants because you’re right about how handy they’ll be in the field. Master Tapal gave me a fully equipped utility belt; it’s great.

“I upgraded my lightsaber, I’m sure you have as well, but during the upgrade my kyber crystal color-shifted. I know that happens sometimes as we grow, but I didn’t expect it to happen to me. At any rate, my lightsaber is now indigo. I think it suits me, but it was a surprise. We did some form exercises today, and Master Tapal’s teaching style is very similar to Master Frantar’s, which I expected since she was his padawan.

“This won’t make sense to most people considering our circumstances and the fact that I grew up in the crèche on Coruscant, but I’ve never felt safer, Quin.” Obi-Wan took a deep breath. “It’s such a relief.”

He leaned forward a bit and smiled. “I’ve got a grappling hook. I haven’t gotten to use it yet, but I’m super excited. Master Tapal’s ship is great, and we have a large training space, just like in the padawan training facilities in the temple. There are droids on the ship, all of dubious origin, which are really amusing. A pair of pit droids run engineering, and they spend their free time cheating each other at games and wrestling like a pair of toddlers when they aren’t actually working.

“I have to run. I want to get this comm packed for when we stop at a relay to pick up any pending messages. I know that we can send and receive messages while in hyperspace, but I think we’re running in a secure mode right now to lower the chances of being tracked. I’ve not asked, but I will out of curiosity more than anything else. Master Tapal’s operation is very interesting, and I wish I could share more, but you understand why I can’t. Stay safe. May the Force be with you, Quin.”

Obi-Wan ended the holorecording and watched the station encrypt the package before it went into a pending section in the ship’s main communication center. Satisfied, he picked up his datapad, went to the bridge, and settled into the co-pilot seat. Master Tapal was in the pilot seat and spared him a small glance before focusing on his own work.

His master’s presence in the Force was calm and steadfast. Obi-Wan figured that everyone who knew Master Tapal personally couldn’t help but trust him with everything. He settled down to read the only material he had on droid mechanics, which was definitely a light read but would give him a good foundation and help him create a better reading list going forward.

“We should have a HoloNet connection at the comm relay if you want to download some manuals for the droids. They’ll be available from the Educational Corps archive or the temple library itself,” Master Tapal said.

“I don’t have permission to use the EduCorps archive without supervision from a librarian,” Obi-Wan said. “Or at least, I’ve never had it before.”

“You should’ve been granted access when your status changed,” Master Tapal said. “If it hasn’t—I’ll handle the downloads and contact Lyro Veros about the update as well. You should find the access in your temple account.”

“Yes, Master.”

Master Tapal stood, and Ace rolled forward to plug into the navigational computer. “I need some privacy to answer a comm. We should reach the comm relay in twenty-five minutes. Ace, drop us out of hyperspace per the flight plan and achieve an appropriate orbit.”

“I got this, Jaro,” Ace announced.

Obi-Wan glanced briefly at the droid before focusing on his reading again.

Jaro watched the pair of them ignore each other for a moment, then went to his quarters. He sat down at his comm terminal and wrote all the responses that were owed then started a holorecording for his partner.

“I’m running silent right now since Ky’s target was associated with the Sennex pirates. I can’t afford to send or receive communications in hyperspace. They’re stupid enough to attempt to board and take my ship. The boy is adjusting pretty much as I expected he would. I’m very content with my choice, and I remain interested in any fallout within the temple. If Ioan asks, I agree that we should make sure our padawans see each other when it’s possible. They probably have a Force bond built on loyalty, though I’ve not asked about it since that’s a private matter. But that kind of loyalty cannot be bought or sold so the friendship should be nurtured. It will serve them well into their knighthood. May the Force be with you.”

Jaro closed the recording and added it to the data package. He checked to make sure that Obi-Wan had closed his own message appropriately but didn’t open it.

“Enid, prepare our comm packet and wrap it in a security shield, then send the whole thing to Eeth for distribution once we reach the comm relay,” Jaro said and stretched. “Any concerns?”

“None. The boy seems to be doing well. He slept for nine and a half hours. Research states that a twelve-year-old Human should sleep nine to twelve hours. His caloric intake was low yesterday, but that could be nerves. I’ll monitor him for a week and give you a report. We should make sure that he eats very well on physical training days,” Enid said. “Do you have any concerns?”

“He’s the smallest padawan I’ve ever had,” Jaro murmured. “Jos was already close to six feet when we apprenticed, and Wilaj was starting his second growth, so he was close to the same within six months of our association.”

“Obi-Wan is four-foot-eight,” Enid reported. “Well within the average for a twelve-year-old Human boy.”

Jaro nodded. “I was told he was in perfectly good health and normal for his species as far as growth is concerned. I was in the crèche and at the academy with Human males and females. I learned to take great care with other species when I was a very young child. I was as tall as an adult Human by the time I entered the academy. Still, he’s very small, and I feel very protective of him.”

“I don’t believe that is inappropriate,” Enid said. “The galaxy is dangerous. I’m precariously close to asking for a hunter droid body to move around in.”

Jaro laughed. “Wilaj always said he’d get you a body if you wanted one, Enid.”

“True,” she said in an amused tone. “But my capacity would be very limited in such a circumstance. Ace doesn’t recommend it, though he appears to be adjusted to his current situation well enough.”

“Ah, did he tell you what his previous platform was?”

“No, he’s cagey on the subject,” Enid said. “But I’ll figure it out one day. I could just review his code. I’m sure it’s in there somewhere, but it’s more fun to speculate.”

“Agreed,” Jaro said as the ship left hyperspace.

He left his quarters and settled into the pilot seat shortly after Ace achieved orbit around the comm relay as instructed.

Obi-Wan was staring at the comm relay with wide eyes.

“What?” Jaro questioned.

“I just didn’t realize how big they were.”

“Not all of them are this size. In fact, some are the size of an RT unit,” Jaro said. “This is also a HoloNet repeater for an entire sector. It has a four-man crew that is rotated out every three months and is owned and operated by the Republic.”

“It’s not a target for criminals?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“They have no credits, enough food for their own use, and the station itself is armed with proton torpedoes that can only be removed from the system by being fired,” Jaro explained. “So, it’s just not worth it to attack one of these things. They’re more valuable, even to criminals, if they’re left alone to do exactly what they’re made for. Don’t forget to download your materials. I’ll shut down communications again once we leave to lower our profile in the hyperspace lane.”

“Yes, sir.”

 

 

 

Chapter 6

Yaddle watched Eeth settle at the table as he brought plates of food to the table for them. She’d declined her preferred food as she didn’t want to keep track of it and had settled on a selection of meats from the synth.

“Is something wrong?”

Eeth seemed to paused and cleared his throat. “I’m considering leaving the Council. I never intended to stay as long as I have, and it’s not satisfying my calling within the Force.”

“And you miss Jaro,” Yaddle said, and Eeth just nodded. “It’s perfectly reasonable. The two of you worked together in the field for years before you were made to believe that your participation on the Council was necessary.”

“Yoda separated us on purpose,” Eeth said. “I’ve thought so for a while now, but he’s never overtly questioned me.”

“He has no questions to ask and no evidence on which to base a complaint,” Yaddle pointed out. “Neither you nor Jaro have ever failed in your duty to the Force, and he knows it. I also think it upsets him as it makes it clear that a Jedi need not live a solitary life in order to do their duty. Our kind don’t form attachments easily, and we have no interest in sexual relationships. He thinks all Jedi should function as he does as a result. He doesn’t know and never will understand romantic love.”

Eeth stared. “I’m too young to hear about your lack of a sex life.”

Yaddle laughed. “I find the most comfort within the Force,” she said, and he nodded. “I am so pleased to have chosen Jaro as my final apprentice. He will carry my legacy on in a beautiful way. His love and faith in you has never been misplaced and I never thought it was wrong. If you wish to join him on his mission for the Senate, then you should. In fact, I’ll make sure it happens within the next ten years.”

“Why ten years?” Eeth questioned.

“Dooku wants back on the Council,” Yaddle said. “And I don’t want him to return to the Council. If you leave, Yoda will most certainly put his former student in your place. It’s bad enough I have to put up with Mace Windu.”

“What’s wrong with Mace?”

“He’s very invested in Yoda’s agenda,” Yaddle said. “And I’m precariously close to doing something unfortunate to him.”

“I noted that Yoda has his gimer stick back,” Eeth said.

“I gave it back to him because his pouting was appalling,” Yaddle muttered. “I’ve also ordered my own from Kashyyyk. Chieftain Tarfful has promised to make it for me personally and send it to Coruscant.”

“I’ve heard that Qui-Gon has been asking questions about Jaro,” Eeth said. “He needs to mind his own business. Jaro has been a master of this Order longer than Qui-Gon’s been alive.”

“Yoda, at one time, wanted Jaro to train Qui-Gon,” Yaddle said, and Eeth made a face. She laughed. “Jaro suggested that Qui-Gon be sent to the Service Corps as he didn’t have the mentality for the life of a Jedi Knight. I believe that Qui-Gon would be best served in the Exploration Corps, and I told Yoda this very recently. I don’t think either Yoda or Dooku will allow it. They’re both very invested in assuring Qui-Gon’s success.”

“It’s ego for Dooku,” Eeth said, and Yaddle nodded. “Where’s Yoda’s motivation coming from?”

“Yoda believes himself always right,” Yaddle said. “And often ignores the desires and needs of others. He disdains the influence of the Unifying Force while he practically wallows in the embrace of the Cosmic Force and acts as if he speaks for the Force itself. Others allow it.”

“Yes,” Eeth agreed. “Well, who do you want to take my place on the Council? What happens if Jocasta quits in a fit? Dooku would slot right in.”

“Jocasta and I have already spoken,” Yaddle said. “We are of one mind. It’s time for Yoda to actually retire in full. He’s retreating into the Force day by day, and it’s time for him to let go. His disconnection from the physical life we all lead is not serving the Order. As to your eventual replacement, Jor Aerith or Gretz Droom are my choices. I’ve already started to work on the others.”

“You have my support, of course,” Eeth said. “I’ve noticed that Sifo-Dyas has withdrawn a great deal over the last few months.”

“Yoda’s dismissal of his visions has disheartened him to a detrimental degree,” Yaddle said. “I hadn’t really noticed before, but…the situation with young Obi-Wan made me recognize Yoda’s profound bias.”

“Against the Unifying Force,” Eeth said.

“Yes,” Yaddle said. “So, I’ve decided to start speaking to Sifo-Dyas regularly and help him come to terms with his visions. He did say, recently, that there was a shift in the content. He doesn’t know what it means, exactly, but he’s exploring it.”

“The future is always in motion,” Eeth said dryly.

Yaddle threw the salt shaker at him.

Eeth caught it easily and put it back on the table. “Don’t be mean. I’ll tell Jaro.”

“Go ahead,” Yaddle retorted and rolled her eyes even as he laughed. “How do you think Jaro and Obi-Wan will work together?”

“Ah, well, Jaro is clearly very pleased so far. Obi-Wan is a good fit for him, and the boy is very eager to learn. If I were inclined toward taking a padawan, I would’ve certainly considered making him an offer.”

“Why won’t you?” Yaddle questioned.

“My kind are….” Eeth took a deep breath. “I’d never be able to part with a padawan if I took one, Yaddle. The desire to nurture a child is very strong amongst my kind, and instinctually, I would see it as parenthood. That wouldn’t serve the child put in my care in the long term.”

“Ah, well, I’ve never parted with Jaro,” Yaddle admitted. “I just let him galivant around the galaxy doing what the Force wishes for him to do. But he’s my boy and always will be. I promised Kosul I’d keep an eye on you as well.”

Eeth’s eyes widened briefly, and he focused on his food. “It’s been a while since anyone mentioned Master Ayada to me. I miss him, but releasing my grief into the Force was a relieving process.”

“Grief is part of life,” Yaddle said and started to eat. “Some are so focused on pretending it doesn’t exist that they end up setting a deeply inappropriate example.”

“Yes,” Eeth agreed.

The door chime sounded, and an urgent little knock followed. Yaddle raised an eyebrow and shrugged as Eeth stood from the table and went to open the door.

“Can I help you?”

Yaddle leaned forward and found she could see very little, which was irritating. “Bring your guest in so I can eavesdrop without straining myself.”

Eeth laughed, and shortly she was presented with Jedi Padawan Quinlan Vos. “Padawan Vos appears upset.”

Quinlan Vos took a deep breath. “Obi-Wan almost got kidnapped by a slaver, and I just….” He waved both hands. “I don’t even know what happened. I heard about it from two Jedi Knights in the lift, and they didn’t know any details.”

“Ah, well, I know for a fact that he’s fine, and the incident was handled pretty much instantly,” Eeth said, and the boy’s shoulders slumped. “Sit. Would you like some tea?”

“Thank you, sir, but no.” Quinlan sat down at the table. “I just came from the refectory. Master Tholme is on a mission, and I’m taking classes at the academy while he’s gone. Master Vant said I could sleep in the dorm if I wanted, but I’m okay in the apartment.”

“Plus, you have more freedom,” Eeth said.

“Yes, but also, I don’t have to put up with Bruck Chun if I stay in the apartment,” Quinlan admitted. “He’s been in a complete state since he found out that Obi-Wan apprenticed with Master Tapal. Bruck was really invested in the idea that Obi-Wan was going to be sent to the Service Corps despite being first at the academy. The jealousy is awful, and I’d rather not deal with the questions all day, every day. They’re bad enough in class.”

“Is Initiate Chun’s behavior disruptive?” Yaddle questioned.

“He’s cruel,” Quinlan said frankly. “And he hates Obi-Wan. I’ve run interference between them for years. It might not have been the best choice, as I’ve recently learned that Bruck is also jealous of my friendship with Obi-Wan. Bruck thinks that he’s superior to all of us and that everything Obi-Wan has earned should’ve been given to him for nothing.

“He’s currently very focused on the fact that he wants Master Jinn to apprentice him. He seems to think that it will be a way to get back at Obi-Wan despite the fact that Master Jinn never had a chance to actually reject him. I mean, we’ve all heard that he intended to, but Obi-Wan rejected him first. Some even think that Obi-Wan knew he was going to be rejected, so he did it first in order to humiliate Master Jinn.”

“What do you think?” Yaddle questioned.

“Oh, Obi-Wan is horrified by Master Jinn,” Quinlan said frankly. “He even had nightmares about him, but he refused to discuss them. I just heard him talking in his sleep; we all did. Even Bruck knows, deep down, that Obi-Wan wanted no part of that apprenticeship. It’s clear that the Force was warning Obi-Wan away from Master Jinn. I’m glad he listened. At the end of the day, Bruck is just jealous that Obi-Wan is everything he isn’t. Obi-Wan is…well. He’s like the Jedi Knights we read about in the historical archives.”

“Yes, I agree,” Yaddle said. “At one time, the knighthood was only for those of us prepared to serve and fight for the will of the Force. It was seen as an honor and a sacrifice. They were to guard the balance and protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. But as with all things, the knighthood changed, and our duty to the Republic started to overshadow everything else.”

Quinlan stood. “I’m sorry to have interrupted your meal with my foolish behavior, Masters.”

Eeth grinned. “If I’d not already spoken to Jaro, I would be just as concerned. Feel free to call me if you need help, and Ioan hasn’t returned. Let him know that I’m available to give you lessons if he’s going to be on a mission for an extended period of time.”

“Thank you, sir, I’m honored, and I will let him know,” Quinlan said.

“Also, I think you’ll find a message from Obi-Wan if you go check your comm account.”

“Oh.” Quinlan darted right off with a shouted goodbye.

Yaddle shook her hand. “I don’t remember ever having that much energy.”

“I do, and I actively resent children for it,” Eeth said, and she laughed.

“Get me a beer,” she ordered and sat back in her seat.

“Let’s split one,” Eeth suggested but held up his hands in defeat when she glared. “Fine, you get your own whole beer all by yourself.”

That’s right, she thought.

* * * *

Jaro stared at the sector map hovering above the holotable as he sipped his caf. Obi-Wan was silent and had been since they’d left hyperspace a few lightyears away from Cerea. He shifted the planets around and pulled the Force close to him as his gaze drifted from one planetary body to another.

Air moved around him, and he looked down to find that Obi-Wan had moved close to him. He raised an eyebrow.

“What are you doing? You feel different.”

“I was merely seeking guidance from the Force,” Jaro murmured. “I pulled the Force close to me. You know how to push with the Force?”

“Yes,” Obi-Wan said with a nod.

“And you can pull an object to you,” Jaro prodded. “What happens if you pull with no intent to bring an object to you?”

“I’ve never tried,” Obi-Wan said. “I’m not sure I should since I’m prone to having visions without any kind of prodding on my part.”

“Perhaps,” Jaro said. “We’ll try it later when circumstances are less stressful.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “What do you feel?”

“Peace,” Jaro murmured as he took another sip of caf. “There is a certain sort of lovely quiet in the Force, and it can be found when one is focused. We can touch that quietness in meditation if we are still. But in moments like this, I feel it just brushing up against me like a gentle wind.” He reached out and prodded the map around. “Enid, per your calculations, what are the odds that Ky Narec is alive?”

“Less than one percent,” Enid said. “But I’ve learned over the years that the Force cannot be quantified. Logic would also dictate that he made a miscalculation in his flight plan and was flung far into Wild Space.”

Jaro nodded, but he continued to stare. His padawan suddenly leaned against him and Jaro let his hand fall to the boy’s shoulder gently. “Worried?”

“Yes,” Obi-Wan admitted. “Sorry.”

“It’s normal to be worried,” Jaro murmured. “I’ve known Ky Narec since he was your age. He was a serious boy—studious and slow to laugh. I was so surprised when Mana introduced him to me as her padawan. She’d always favored the rowdy ones, the students that most believed should’ve been shuttled off to the Exploration Corps in the hopes that they’d exhaust themselves trying to dig up the past.”

Obi-Wan hummed under his breath. “I don’t think he’s in Wild Space.”

“Why?”

“Because of the Force,” Obi-Wan said. “Enid, are there any documented cases of a Force-sensitive person being lost in Wild Space due to the anomalies in the Moddell sector?”

“No, Obi-Wan,” Enid said. “Per the Jedi Temple records, there are twenty-two reports of Jedi being displaced by the issues in the Modell sector, and all of them found themselves in the Mid or Outer Rim.”

“And if he was thrown out into Wild Space unless his ship was damaged, he could’ve just returned to Coruscant,” Jaro said thoughtfully. “Considering his disability, he would’ve kept a datachip for an emergency jump. Fuel would’ve been the only concern.” He changed the perspective again and stared at the map. “We’ll start with Endor.”

“The black hole?”

“No, Padawan, the moon,” Jaro said with a laugh. “We’ll work under the assumption that the Force kept Ky away from the black hole.”

“Oh, good. I’d rather not get that close to a black hole.”

Jaro just let his hand rest once more on Obi-Wan’s shoulder as he stared at the holographic image of Endor. It didn’t feel exactly right, but it was a place to start. The Force was warm inside of him, which was a great comfort.

“Enid, what do we know about Endor?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“Endor, a forest moon, orbits a planet of the same name. It is one of nine moons and is home to several sentient species that are carnivorous. The moon is considered to be undesirable for colonization as a result. It is one of many planets in the galaxy where blumfruit grows naturally. It is safer, however, to simply buy blumfruit from the farms on Bakura in this sector.”

“We should get some for your feisty friend,” Obi-Wan said, and Jaro laughed. “So, she won’t be disappointed with Master Narec.”

“Ah, we’ll make sure Mila gets her blumfruit,” Jaro assured. “She’ll adore you, I’m sure.”

“She’ll put on clothes, right?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“Certainly,” Jaro said but made a mental note to tell her to put on some clothes prior to their arrival as she was prone to wearing nothing at all, even in public, on her own space station.

“Good. I’m not old enough to see naked ladies.”

Jaro swallowed a laugh. He honestly couldn’t wait to introduce Obi-Wan Kenobi to Mila, the owner and operator of the biggest brothel organization in the Mid Rim.

* * * *

Endor looked beautiful from orbit. Obi-Wan lingered by the large window on the third-floor observation deck. It was too bad it was full of sentient aliens who’d probably try to eat him.

“Obi-Wan, you have an incoming holocall. It’s from the Jedi Temple communication center on Coruscant.”

“Oh, can you answer it and tell them I’m on my way?” Obi-Wan questioned as he trotted toward the lift.

“Yes, of course.”

He went down to the first floor and hurried to his quarters with a brief glance toward the bridge where his master was scanning the moon. A hologram of Quinlan Vos was displayed above his comm station as he sat down.

“Quin, it’s great to see you.”

“How are you?” Quinlan questioned. “I’ve tried to call a few times.”

“We were unavailable due to security requirements for the mission,” Obi-Wan said. “Did you get my message?”

“I did, thanks. I heard about the kidnapping attempt before I saw it, though. Master Koth assured me that you were okay. Leave it to you to attract the attention of a slave stalker.”

“He said I fit a special request—based on my appearance,” Obi-Wan explained. “But I don’t quite understand what he meant by that. I haven’t researched it yet.”

Quinlan sighed. “Obi-Wan, special requests are usually part of the sex slave trade. Some creepy old bastard was probably offering an extra reward for a pretty little boy just like you.”

“Oh.” Obi-Wan huffed. “I should’ve cut off his arm.”

“Certainly,” Quinlan agreed. “Can you tell me anything about your mission?”

“No, I’m sorry.” Obi-Wan bit down on his lip but relaxed when Quinlan nodded. “I find myself a student every moment I’m awake, however.”

“What do you mean?”

“Master Tapal teaches even in his silence, and his relationship with the Force is beautiful,” Obi-Wan confessed. “I hope to be half the Jedi he is one day. How are things going with Master Tholme?”

“Very good. He’s on a mission currently that he needed to do alone,” Quinlan explained. “I was told that he’d have to do it periodically. I’m just taking academy classes as normal. Though he did alter my class selection after I became his padawan, it’s nothing I can’t handle. Having a private place to sleep and study has been very helpful.

“Bruck continues to be a jerk, but I’ve been avoiding him. He hates you, Obi.”

“I know,” Obi-Wan said. “I’m hoping that my absence will help him. I don’t know what else I could do on that front. I don’t think he’d have been satisfied if I’d gone to the Service Corps, either. It’s like the fact that I exist is a problem for him.”

“Well, it’s hard to consider himself superior when he has someone with no so-called privileged background doing better than him repeatedly in every single way,” Quinlan explained. “He’s never come at me because of my own well-known background.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “Why are you in the communication center?”

“I wanted to get a good image. I have a comm station in my quarters, but the holocapture isn’t great. I’m going to upgrade it in my spare time. I have permission from the tech department. If I do well, they offered to let me upgrade others as either educational experience or credits in hand.”

“I hope you picked credits,” Obi-Wan said.

“Of course I did. Garen’s coup plan is expensive,” Quinlan responded, and they both laughed. “Bant’s writing you a long letter that is probably going to be the length of a book and Siri is being weird about your departure.”

“What do you mean by weird?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“I don’t know how to explain it—some of it is probably jealousy. Every single padawan our age in the temple is a little envious of what you’re getting to do. No one else is out of the temple, seemingly permanently, at your age. Plus, you’ve joined Master Yaddle’s lineage, and that’s amazing.

“I got all worked up about the attempted kidnapping and ended up going to Master Koth to get more information since I didn’t know you’d sent me a holo. She was there, and they were having dinner. He offered to be a mentor to me when Master Tholme is off-world on missions. I hope Master Tholme accepts.”

“I’m sure he will—Master Koth is a talented duelist and has a lot of skills that he can pass on to you that Master Tholme would find valuable for you to learn. I always enjoyed any classes that Master Koth offered,” Obi-Wan said. “Siri hasn’t told you why she’s upset? I said goodbye to everyone individually.”

“Yeah, but you spent more time with me,” Quinlan said. “And she mentioned that twice. Bant says that Siri has always been jealous of our friendship.”

Obi-Wan considered that with a frown. “Three months ago, she asked me to have lunch with her in private. I agreed, but the whole thing was weird, and she kept talking to me about what I wanted for the future. She even encouraged me to take the Consular path with her so we could be partners after we were knighted. I don’t know why.”

“Oh.” Quinlan blew air out between his lips. “You’re adorable.”

“What?” Obi-Wan questioned and felt his cheeks heat despite his desire to not blush.

“She has a crush on you,” Quinlan said and huffed when Obi-Wan made a face. “You really didn’t notice?”

“I didn’t think her interest was romantic,” Obi-Wan said and sighed. “What do I do about that?”

“What do you want to do about it?” Quinlan questioned. “Are you interested in her?”

“Well, first, I don’t think I’m interested in females at all,” Obi-Wan said, and Quinlan nodded. “And second, she’s said some things in the past that make me think she’d be severely put off by my anatomy. I can’t even tell you exactly what she said. I just realized during the course of several interactions that intersex individuals would be deeply unattractive to her.”

“Did you discuss your origin with Master Tapal? He needs to know.”

“Yeah, we talked about it, and I have a dual birth control implant that can’t be removed. It’ll dissolve on its own in ten years,” Obi-Wan explained. “I agreed with the placement and the length of time before it was injected.”

“Good, that’s a relief. I hope you never face any sort of circumstance where they kind of protection will be necessary, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Please be careful about who you share your reality with, Obi.”

“I promise,” Obi-Wan said quietly. “I’ve been told all of my life that intersex individuals are highly sought after by the slave trade. Stewjon has some of the most militant planetary security possible in the Republic. Alderaan and Naboo are much the same when it comes to immigration. Even landing on Naboo without permission is a ten-year sentence in a Republic prison unless you’re literally about to crash and die.”

His door chime sounded. “Come in!”

The door opened and revealed Twobit. “Jaro requires your presence on the bridge, Obi-Wan.”

“Thank you, Twobit. I’ll be right out,” Obi-Wan said and stood as the droid walked away. “I have to go, Quin.”

“Be safe,” Quin ordered. “Cut off slavers arms every single chance you get.”

“May the Force be with You,” Obi-Wan said.

“And with you,” Quinlan returned and ended the holocomm.

Obi-Wan left his quarters and hurried to the bridge, where Master Tapal was already in the pilot seat. “My apologies, Master. Quinlan holocalled.”

“I know,” Master Tapal said. “It’s no problem. I could’ve used the ship’s intercom, but I’ve always found it rude. Twobit volunteered to go get you. Padawan Vos is apprenticed to a Shadow and is being trained for that path purposefully. I’m going to tell you something that is rarely acknowledged.”

“Okay,” Obi-Wan said with a nod.

“Shadows need a deep and profoundly honest personal connection to do the work they do. They are often exposed to the kind of depravity that would leave the rest of us catatonic. The galaxy is full of cruel and deceitful people. It will be his job to interact and commiserate with such people. He may even be called upon to act like the literal scum of the galaxy. So, be explicitly honest with your friend and have his back. If you can’t do that, then you need to let him go so he can find another to be his…home.”

Obi-Wan didn’t want anyone else to be Quinlan’s home. “I can be honest with Quinlan. I’ve always been able to discuss anything with him. It’s why our friendship has always been so solid. We can have a whole conversation with a look.”

“Very good,” Master Tapal murmured. “I’ve sent a comm signal down repeatedly for the last hour. I’ll have covered the whole moon within the next thirty minutes. I’m getting nothing but generalized noise from the moon itself. It’s teeming with life, and there are billions of trees down there. I’d land and let you climb one if there weren’t also potentially many thousands of creatures that would eat you also down there.”

Obi-Wan laughed. “Yeah, even the really cute ones will apparently eat a Human given half a chance. Where are we going next?”

“I’ve gotten some reports from Mila’s people. They’ve eliminated Bakura, Zaddja, Chalcedon, and Lotho Minor,” Master Tapal said. “Which leaves us a lot of options, but I’ve narrowed my next selection to two choices. Bunduki and Rattatak.”

“You don’t sound excited about either.”

“Bunduki is a terrible place,” Master Tapal said. “With a very dark history for the Jedi.”

“The Dark Jedi Exiles and the formation of the Sith Eternal,” Obi-Wan said.

“You remember your history,” Master Tapal murmured.

“Yes, sir. The history of the Jedi Order is fascinating, and I’ve dedicated a lot of personal time to reading about it. If the Force was guiding Master Narec, then maybe it would’ve protected him from landing on Bunduki. What’s wrong with Rattatak?”

“It is a planet in a constant state of civil war, and it was occupied by the Sith Empire at some point, so there are some dark pockets. There’s no established spaceport; they’re too isolated to have HoloNet access. Since they have no central government, they’ve never had a voice within the Republic and currently couldn’t even apply for junior membership.” Master Tapal sighed. “It’s likely that if Ky is on that planet, then he has been fighting since he landed.”

“Then we should go get him if he’s there,” Obi-wan said. “He’s probably demoralizing the populace with his competence.”

Master Tapal nodded. “Yes, I suppose we should.”

* * * *

“The comm relay in orbit is dead,” Jaro murmured. “Ace, write a report on it and send it to the Galactic Communication Authority on Coruscant. They’ll probably fix it sometime in the next decade.”

“We could pull it in and repair it ourselves,” Obi-Wan suggested. “Especially if the Moddell sector is going to make a habit of tossing people in this direction.”

Jaro considered that and focused on Tink, who was seated on the top of the command console looking out the front viewport. “Tink, can you and Clank fix a comm relay of that model?”

“Yes, and we could add a HoloNet repeater to it if we replace the power system. We have the equipment to do it, and it would count toward that silly altruism clause in our agreement with the Senate,” Tink said. “Like freeing people from slavery for free isn’t the ultimate act of altruism.”

“What altruism clause?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“Senate committees are precariously close to being criminal by design,” Jaro said, and the boy laughed. “While it is the position of the Republic that slavery is abhorrent, many member worlds only care when it serves them. Their representatives know this very well, so one or two of them on the committee insisted a clause be placed in my mandate. The clause requires me to perform acts of charity for the Republic itself. They gave me a list of acceptable acts. Spreading HoloNet access is one of them.”

“It’s not a bad thing. The more people have access to information, the better, right?”

“Yes, but their main goal is to spread the desire to join the Republic,” Jaro said and glanced toward his padawan to find the boy nodding thoughtfully. “There is a lot of propaganda on the HoloNet extolling the virtues of the Republic.”

“Is the Republic corrupt?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“All political engines have a level of corruption,” Jaro said. “There is good and bad within the Republic and the Senate. It’s our duty to root out the bad as often as we can. It’s best if it’s done quietly as that preserves the peace.”

“I understand.”

Jaro wished it was different as the system was so corruptive that sometimes it left him breathless with fury. He wanted better for the Republic and for the Jedi Order.

“Tink, I’m going to open the docking bay doors. Prepare to pull the comm relay into the ship and let Clank know what the two of you are on task to do. Ace, join them.”

The droids left without a verbal reply. He maneuvered the ship over the comm relay after synchronizing with the orbital speed, closed the bridge doors, and opened the docking bay. Once in position, he lowered the ship, and the comm relay was caught in the same field that would’ve once helped a starship dock with the Guardian.

The ship shuddered just a little as it arrested the momentum of the comm relay. He closed the doors, restored the environment to the docking bay, and opened the doors between the bridge and the rest of the ship.

“I’ll go supervise,” Twobit announced and left the bridge.

Jaro opened up communications and immediately got a ping. He relaxed. “There you are, Ky.”

“He’s here?”

“He’s using his comlink to send a distress signal, which means his ship is a dead loss.” Jaro sent a ping of his own and was immediately rewarded with a voice.

“This is Jedi Knight Ky Narec. I am stranded on the planet of Rattatak. My coordinates are being transmitted as I speak. The Galactic Republic will pay a very generous ransom for my safe return to Coruscant.”

Jaro grinned and activated the comm to respond. “This Jaro Tapal. If Mana didn’t already have plans to lecture you within an inch of your life, I’d be very interested in ransoming you to the Republic.”

“Jaro. I’m so fucking relieved to hear your voice. Are you close? I need an immediate extraction. I have a small Force-sensitive child with me, and the natives’ general hostility has been pointed in my direction since I rescued her from slavery two days ago.”

“I’m on my way down and how small?”

“Five-year-old female, Zabrak.”

Jaro took a deep breath. A Zabrak female that age would be truly tiny and perhaps no larger than a Human toddler. “Are you currently under attack?”

“No, but I expect your ship to garner attention. I’m currently hiding in a mountain cave. I’ll climb as high as I can. She’s a good child and follows instructions very well, so at least there’s that.”

“Ace! Come up here and take over for flight control.” Jaro stood as soon as the astromech was in place. “I’ve plotted the course. Get us as close to Ky Narec’s signal as you possibly can. Come, Padawan.”

 

 

 

Chapter 7

Obi-Wan put a tether on as instructed and watched as Master Tapal lowered the boarding ramp. People were clamoring up what looked like a small mountain. He couldn’t see much of it since it was night on the planet. Master Tapal left the ship entirely, landing on a ledge with his saberstaff in hand. Obi-Wan winced when several of the people, who were so shadowed he couldn’t tell what species they were, were thrown off the side of the mountain by his master.

The ship continued to move upward, and shortly, he saw a man still climbing with a small child on his back. “Ace! I see them! We’re close!”

The ship stopped, and the man turned slightly. He grabbed the girl’s arm and threw her with the Force in Obi-Wan’s direction. Obi-Wan pulled with the Force, startled by the man’s quick action, and caught her. They tumbled into the ship together just as a big male Zabrak launched himself at Ky Narec.

“Here, Twobit,” Obi-Wan said as he stood. He thrust the girl into the droid’s arms and went back to the ramp. “Ace, move closer!”

Ky Narec broke free of the fight and jumped toward the ship, both hands catching the edge of the boarding ramp. The Zabrak male did, too. Obi-Wan hesitated briefly before he darted forward and kicked the attacker in the face then stomped the one hand he still had on the ramp. He fell.

Obi-Wan looked over the ramp and found the attacker trying to extract himself from a thicket. “Sorry about that! Your boarding was unauthorized!”

“Thanks, kid,” Ky Narec said with a sharp laugh as he crawled up onto the ramp. “Where’s Jaro?”

“Down the mountain picking a fight,” Obi-Wan said and pointed toward his master.

Master Tapal took that moment to send a grappling hook toward the ship. Obi-Wan darted out of the way with Ky Narec on his heels. His master swung into the ship a few moments later and slapped the control to close the ramp. Obi-Wan removed the tether, and the cable coiled back into the wall next to the control panel.

“Are you sure you didn’t steal that child from her family?” Master Tapal questioned. “Because those people are a frenzied mob.”

“She’s not even from this planet,” Ky Narec retorted. “Based on her skin markings and lack of horns, she’s probably from Dathomir.”

“Ah.” Master Tapal turned to look at the tiny girl, who was quiet in Twobit’s arms. “Welcome aboard the Guardian, little one. I’m Jedi Master Jaro Tapal and this is my padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi.”

She smiled. “I’m Asajj. Ky says you’re going to take me home.”

“We will, yes,” Master Tapal said quietly with a glance toward Ky Narec. “Obi-Wan, why don’t you help Asajj clean up while I speak with Ky?”

Obi-Wan almost protested before he could help himself and managed to nod. “Okay.”

Twobit put her down, but Obi-Wan noted that the droid did scan her before walking away muttering about nutrient testing. Asajj came to him and took his hand. Obi-Wan looked down at her and stared at her dirty little face.

“Ever had a sonic shower?”

“What’s that?” Asajj questioned.

“Answer enough,” Obi-Wan said with a sigh. “Enid, can you have Tink and Clank join me in my room?”

“Of course, Obi-Wan.”

The little girl was wearing a tattered tunic, pants, and a pair of boots that had clearly seen better days. He had a smaller shirt that he was precariously close to growing out of that would be huge on the girl. Tink and Clank appeared at that moment.

“Okay, we need to get her cleaned up and in fresh clothes,” Obi-Wan said. “I have a shirt that’ll be too big for her. Can one of you cut it up and make something out of it for her?” He guided Asajj into his quarters and toward the refresher. “And one of you needs to help her take a sonic shower. This way, she has as much privacy as we can give her.”

Tink beeped her agreement and offered Asajj her hand.

“It’s okay, you can trust her,” Obi-Wan murmured, and the little girl nodded before taking the droid’s hand.

He went to his dresser and rummaged through his shirts until he found the one that he thought would be best then offered it to Clank. “If you can make her something out of this—that would be great. She’s humanoid and doesn’t have fur, so covering up her genitals is necessary. I’m unsure regarding the modesty requirements of her culture, but it’s better to err on the side of caution.”

“I agree,” Clank said and trotted off.

He pulled out a pair of socks and left them on the bed then sat down to wait. Shortly, Asajj left the refresher wrapped in a towel with her hair tumbling down around her shoulders. Her eyes were a little wide.

“Are you okay?” Obi-Wan questioned even as Tink left with her clothes and boots.

“That was crazy,” Asajj declared.

Obi-Wan laughed. “Clank is making you some new clothes. Let’s brush your hair.” He picked her up and put her on the bed. “Keep the towel on, okay?”

“Okay,” she said, but she gave him a look like he was weird. “Why?”

“I’m a boy,” Obi-Wan said and retrieved his hair brush. “And you’re a girl.”

“Okay, and?”

He laughed. “Well, I’m not sure how it works on your world. But for my people, we cover ourselves up when boys and girls are in the same place.”

“Okay,” she said again. “You can brush my hair now.”

She offered him a hair clip, which he took. He really had no idea what to do with her hair, but it seemed like keeping it up and out of her way was the best choice. But also, he didn’t want her hair to look terrible when she was returned to her mother, as it would reflect badly on them no matter the fact that they’d rescued her. At least, he hoped they’d rescued her and that Master Narec was right about where she belonged.

“Do you know your mother’s name?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“I know her face,” Asajj said. “Is that enough, Obi-Wan?”

“Yes,” he said firmly. “It’s more than enough.”

He really hoped it was, at least. He separated her hair and created four braids, then pinned all four of them up in little loops at the crown of her head with the clip. It was neat and orderly. He’d seen several females at the temple wear their hair in a similar fashion, so it felt like a good choice.

“Now what?” Asajj questioned.

“Now, we wait while Clank makes you something to wear. It shouldn’t take long. Pit droids are made to work very fast. I pulled out some socks for you. They’re going to be too big, but they’ll keep your feet warm.”

He offered her the socks, and she immediately pulled them on all the way up past her knees, which made her laugh.

“Is it okay that I go home?” Asajj questioned.

“What do you mean?”

“My owner died,” Asajj explained. “And the Ventress clan were all killed. They were raising me for him until I could be useful. Except, it was taking too long for me to be useful, and he was mad about it. He said I should already be bigger than I am. He said that he’d been cheated because I was so small and weak. But I won’t even be six for another three months, Obi-Wan. I’m supposed to be small! Mother Ventress explained it to him, and he was still so mad.”

“What happened after your owner died?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“The others were fighting over me, and I ran away. I didn’t want to be a slave again, and I found Ky. He said I would be safe with him. He’s been fighting for me and getting me food since we met. He’s a good person. I like him a lot.” Asajj rocked a little and looked around the room. “Is this your room?”

“Yes.”

“It’s nice. Clean.”

Tink came back at that point with a new bundle. “Clank is fixing her boots. We made her a jumpsuit. It’ll keep her covered up and warm.”

Obi-Wan put Asajj back on the floor and she went back into the refresher with Tink.

“Is she okay?”

Obi-Wan turned and found his master standing in the doorway. “Tink is helping her get dressed. I had Tink help her take a shower and Clank made her clothes to wear from one of my shirts. There’s no telling what it looks like.”

Master Tapal nodded. “Ky’s in the infirmary getting medical care. He said she was uninjured.”

“She doesn’t appear to be in pain,” Obi-Wan said. “Just small and maybe underfed. She was worried that she’d get in trouble for leaving the planet.”

The door to the refresher opened, and Asajj came out still wearing his socks and a little jumpsuit made out of his shirt. It wasn’t awful, and she was clearly pleased to be in something clean.

“I looked at my hair in the mirror. It’s nice,” Asajj said and patted her braids.

Obi-Wan shrugged when Master Tapal looked his way. “Master Billaba wears her hair like that sometimes.”

Master Tapal took a knee and offered Asajj his hand, which she took without an ounce of fear. She wrapped her hand around one of his fingers. “Hungry?”

“I could eat,” she said. “Ky caught me a bird to eat yesterday. He burned it when he tried to cook it. It was better than nothing, though. Then we had to run, and we’ve been running all day and most of the night. I told him he could leave me behind, and the others would probably stop chasing him. I said he couldn’t steal a slave and get away with it. He told me I wasn’t a slave, but I am. I’ve always been a slave, I think.” She paused. “Will you get in trouble, too?”

“You are not a slave anymore,” Master Tapal said. “And I won’t get in trouble for taking you. In fact, it’s my job to free slaves.”

Her eyes widened. “Really?”

“Yes, really.”

She threw herself at him and Obi-Wan was relieved that his master saw it coming because he caught her before she could hurt herself and picked her up. Master Tapal stood and let her rest on his chest.

“Now, let’s get some food in your tiny belly.”

Asajj laughed.

Obi-Wan followed and noted that his master only briefly considered putting Asajj on a stool before setting her down on the table. He went to the synth and hesitated. “Enid, what do Zabraks eat?”

“She can have meats, bean proteins, and a minimal amount of grains.”

“Give her something from my menu,” Master Tapal said. “We’re similar in diet, if not in size.” He tugged on one of her braids, and Asajj laughed.

Obi-Wan programmed a five percent portion of a dish from his master’s personal menu and brought the bowl to the table with a spoon. Asajj took the spoon and the bowl with a little hum. She immediately began eating, so Obi-Wan took a seat, and Master Tapal leaned on the counter to watch. She finished quickly, and since Obi-Wan knew that face well enough, so he got her some food. He’d seen that look on Quinlan’s face repeatedly over the years.

“I can have more?” she questioned, even as she took the new bowl.

Obi-Wan picked up the bowl she’d set aside. “Yes, but don’t eat so much that your stomach hurts. You might get sick. Did you want some water?”

She made a face. “Water is dangerous, Obi-Wan. We can’t drink the water.”

Obi-Wan shared a startled look with his master.

“This water is safe and clean,” Master Tapal said. “You can drink it.”

“I’ve not had safe water in a long time,” Asajj said. “Not since we left the Ventress compound. I also lost my cup two days ago, so I haven’t been able to drink rain, either.”

Obi-Wan got her a cup of water.

* * * *

Jaro watched Ky pull on his shirt and wince as he slid off the table. “I had a bed made for you upstairs in a guest berth. Asajj has already eaten and gone to sleep. I put her in a cot in the room I gave you. Tink is currently with her.”

“Do you think it’s a mistake to take her back to Dathomir?”

“It would be immoral to make no effort to reunite her with her parents despite her overt Force-sensitivity,” Jaro said. “If she’s not from Dathomir then we might have a hard time finding her parents as her species lives on many different worlds. In that case, she’s better off in the crèche on Coruscant.”

Ky nodded and took a deep breath. “Right.”

“Let’s get some food in you,” Jaro said quietly. “We just released the comm relay back into orbit around the planet so we can leave.”

“I don’t know if those bastards need an active comm relay,” Ky muttered but followed Jaro out of the infirmary.

Twobit left the lift as they passed by it. Jaro paused. “Results?”

“The child needed a nutrient supplement,” Twobit said. “But is otherwise in decent health considering the circumstances. She had a few scrapes, and she allowed me to apply bacta. I was able to give her a hypo injection, and she didn’t complain about it.”

Ky followed him into the lift and up to the rec area on the third floor where he got the man some food. Obi-Wan entered at that point and put a cup in the stationary droid that washed dishes and stored them back in the synth.

“Padawan.”

“Yes, Master?”

“Did you apologize to the individual you kicked in the face?”

Obi-Wan sent Ky Narec a dirty look. “Didn’t you learn not to be a tattletale in the crèche?” He turned back toward Jaro and spread his hands out in front of him. “Kicking someone in the face is rude. So, I apologized.”

Jaro grinned at him.

“But in my defense, he was attempting to board the ship without permission.” Obi-Wan crossed his arms over his chest. “Which was also rude. All in all, both parties involved in the altercation exhibited very poor manners. Him more than me since I did apologize, and he didn’t.”

“He’s adorable,” Ky said with a delighted laugh. “How long have you had him, and where do I get one?”

“He’s a recent acquisition,” Jaro said. “And one normally gets proper little padawans at the temple on Coruscant. The feral ones come from Kamparas.”

Obi-Wan flushed and wondered if he should defend his peers from Kamparas, but then thought better of it as he figured Master Tapal was probably right.

* * * *

“Pick me up,” Eeth ordered.

Jaro raised an eyebrow at him. “Are you ordering me around as my partner or as a member of the Council?”

Eeth took a deep breath. “Jaro, we do not disagree with your decision to return the child to Dathomir. But if the Jedi Order is going to make contact with the Nightsisters then Jocasta wants a member of the High Council involved. I’m the obvious choice.”

Jaro checked his chronometer. “I’m going to ignore the implied insult since I know that I’m perfectly capable of handling such a meeting. I’ll be on Coruscant in seven hours. Let Padawan Vos know of our pending arrival and tell him he’s welcome on board while I refuel and meet with the Council as long as his master agrees. Has Mana arrived?”

“Eight hours ago, she was so relieved to get the news that she cried,” Eeth said quietly. “You’re right, by the way, she’s very fragile. I think seeing him would help.” He paused. “Also, Ky said in his own report that your padawan helped him come on board the ship and apologized to a native of the planet for kicking him in the face. Yaddle laughed until she cried.”

“Yes, apparently, Obi-Wan was irritated by the man’s attempt to board the ship without authorization,” Jaro said wryly and just shook his head when Eeth laughed.

* * * *

Asajj was slumped against Obi-Wan’s chest, asleep in the co-pilot seat of the Guardian, when they made orbit around Coruscant and started to negotiate their landing at the Jedi Temple. She’d woken up and immediately sought him out, so Obi-Wan had been showing her around the ship and reading to her since that point.

It was a relief to Jaro that the child didn’t appear to be unduly attached to Ky and he could tell his fellow Jedi felt the same. They both hoped it would make her return to her home world easier. Or, if Dathomir was not an option, her residency in a crèche wouldn’t be considered a rejection. Her Force abilities were on par with other Nightsisters they’d encountered, and it was clear that she had some Human genetics, a common trait for Zabraks from Dathomir.

Fortunately, no one on the Council seemed all that willing to create a hostile situation with the Nightsisters by keeping the child without an attempt to reunite her with her mother. Though, they did want to meet her. He wasn’t entirely certain why, but it was probably some bit of political posturing that he barely had the patience for. Maybe they thought the tiny Nightsister Asajj would remember the Jedi Order fondly for returning her to her homeworld. Considering the child’s intelligence, they were probably right.

His padawan was frowning.

“Something wrong?”

“She’s little,” Obi-Wan said quietly. “Much too small to be a political pawn.”

“Have faith, Padawan,” Jaro murmured.

“I have the utmost faith in you, Master,” Obi-Wan said. “But there are those in the temple and on the Council who have personal agendas that don’t serve the Order or the Force.”

“What of the Republic?”

“The Republic serves itself as governments are wont to do,” Obi-Wan said. “I don’t know how to fix that, though.”

“It’s not always up to the individual to fix anything,” Jaro said. “In the end, we must trust in the Force.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “Will the Republic survive?”

“Power abhors a vacuum,” Jaro said. “The Republic has existed for a very long time in some fashion or another. It will continue on, as such organizations do, no matter what it calls itself in the future. The Jedi Order is currently oath-bound to protect the Galactic Republic, but only the Force is eternal.”

Obi-Wan shifted Asajj in his hold and took a deep breath. “That feels very true.”

* * * *

Obi-Wan closed the boarding ramp as Quinlan shoved back his hood. “Hey.”

“Wow, Obi, this ship is something else…can you say how he came to own it?”

“He stole it from a Hutt clan,” Obi-Wan said with a laugh. “Decades ago. Come on, I’ll show you my room. How are you? Has Master Tholme returned to the temple?”

“Yes, we’re leaving for a mission in ten hours. It’s on planet, but I’ll be out of contact for a few days.” He looked around. “Is this your training arena? It’s huge.”

“It used to be the hangar bay,” Obi-Wan explained. “Things have been hectic.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s all over the temple that you and Master Tapal rescued Jedi Knight Ky Narec from Rattatak. Master Ushel landed on Coruscant like a bomb and wanted to know why her former student was misplaced by the Council of Reconciliation and the High Council. She’s furious about the mismanagement of knights in the field because of Master Yoda’s machinations. Master Nu and Master Yoda are at odds because he keeps interfering in organizational matters despite the fact that he shouldn’t, and he’s caused a lot of confusion.”

Obi-Wan led Quinlan into his room and shut the door. “I have my own refresher and everything.”

“You really lucked out on this subject,” Quinlan said and dropped down on the bed. “How is everything going for real? You didn’t give a lot of detail in your message, which I understand.”

“It’s great,” Obi-Wan said. “He’s…amazing, really, and I feel very safe in my apprenticeship with him. Do you know what’s happening with Master Jinn?”

Quinlan made a face. “He’s still skulking around the temple. I’ve heard that Yoda wanted to send him on a mission, but the rest of the Council was vehemently opposed. Master Kloon and his padawan, Bultar Swan, were sent to Bandomeer on the mission that Yoda wanted to send Master Jinn on. I have no idea what that’s all about.”

“Bandomeer is an agricultural world and the AgriCorps has a facility on it. There’s also a big mining operation, but I’m not sure what they mine there,” Obi-Wan said. “I’m sure Master Kloon will handle the situation handily.”

Quinlan nodded and pulled a small box from his robe. “I had a little mission with Master Tholme, and we came across a cache of ID7 seeker droids. I can’t tell you about the mission, but I was allowed to keep the droids. I programmed this one for you. She has a comlink, which you can mate to yours and will do surveillance for you.”

Obi-Wan took the little box with wide eyes. “Quin, these things are expensive.”

“I have six more, and it isn’t like I paid for them,” Quinlan said with a smile. “I’ve programmed the others to move and act in partnership. So, this little lady was just going to be kept in reserve, then I realized she could be useful to you.”

He opened the box to reveal the tiny black droid that would fit in the palm of his hand in its folded configuration. “Little lady?”

Quinlan shrugged. “I made them all girls. Master Tholme was amused. This is EV-QB1. I’ll send you a comm with the specs and codes in case you need to change anything. She’s got a forty-eight-hour battery and a full spy protocol if you ever need it. If her personality is too much, you can ask her to tone it down. She’ll self-adjust as well based on interactions with you and others—a skill she needs for effective spy work.”

“I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Obi-Wan said and closed the box. “Thank you, Quin. I appreciate your support. I worried that you might think that I shouldn’t leave the temple and have this kind of apprenticeship.”

“I don’t think you’re too delicate or whatever else you might be thinking,” Quinlan said quietly. “I had a talk with Siri.”

“How’d that go?” Obi-Wan questioned as he stood and went to the trunk where he’d stored the cloak he’d purchased. He brought the garment to the bed and sat down with it. “It has the infrastructure for stealth tech but none installed. I figured if you needed that sort of thing that Master Tholme would have preferences.”

Quinlan took the cloak with wide eyes as he opened the cloak and ran his fingers along the interior. “This is armorweave.”

“Master Tapal took me to a special shop on Hosnian Prime. It’s where he buys all of his clothing for field operations. He replaced my robe and cloak with mission funds since he considers it a safety requirement. I bought a few things personally and this cloak for you. It has lots of pockets, and like I said—it’s prepped for the installation of stealth tech.” He took a deep breath. “Do you like it?”

“I love it,” Quinlan said. “And it looks perfectly normal and nondescript from the outside. No shining zips or buttons. No one would really expect it to be what it is without taking it off of me.”

“Great,” Obi-Wan said and relaxed. “I’m glad we were able to come back to Coruscant. The interior has a folded section along the hem so you can lengthen it. It may even fit you as an adult if you aren’t a giant.”

“I don’t expect to be,” Quinlan said with a laugh and focused on him. “It’s also all over the temple that you fought an adult Zabrak on Rattatak.”

“I did not,” Obi-Wan protested. “I just kicked him in the face and stomped his hand so he couldn’t climb up into the ship.”

“That sounds much more reasonable,” Quinlan said with a nod. “As to Siri, she’s disappointed that you don’t seem to be interested in her personally. I told her that personal attachments have to be handled carefully and that she clearly can’t be objective about your preferences or path within the Force. If she’s going to get bent out of shape about your apprenticeship, then how can she expect to ever put her duty to the Force first with that kind of emotional landscape going on?”

“She can’t,” Obi-Wan said. “Listen, I need to talk to you about something private.”

“I figured as much since you shut the door.”

Obi-Wan nodded and exhaled slowly. “It might be weird for you.”

Quinlan raised an eyebrow. “I already know you’ve got extra stuff in your pants, Obi.”

Obi-Wan blushed. “Shut up. It’s not about that.” He paused. “Exactly.”

Quinlan motioned him to continue. “Spill it. You know you can say anything to me.”

“I’m very sheltered.”

“Yeah,” Quinlan nodded his agreement. “You are, and I can’t say I’m not worried about it. I do trust in the fact that Master Tapal is known for his militant protection of his padawans and children. Currently, you are both to him.”

“You should’ve seen him throwing that slave stalker around,” Obi-Wan said and took a deep breath. “I do know that I can say anything to you. I just don’t want to hurt our friendship with this.”

“You can’t hurt our friendship,” Quinlan said quietly. “I’ve got your back, Obi-Wan. No matter what. It’s you and me, right?”

“You and me,” Obi-Wan agreed and reached out for his friend’s hand. Quinlan laced their fingers together easily. “I’m going to do my best to never, ever end up in the hands of a slaver. But I can’t guarantee that. I don’t want to live in fear of how I might used or misused in that system. That kind of fear can’t have purchase in the life of a Jedi Knight.”

“I understand,” Quinlan said. “What do you need from me? You know I’d search to the ends of the entire damned galaxy to find you, right?”

“I do know that,” Obi-Wan said. “And I’d do the same for you. I’d never give you up for dead until I had a body, no matter what anyone said.” He paused. “Or if the Force told me you were gone. I’d trust the Force with that.”

“Same,” Quinlan said wryly. “Please just say what you need to say.”

“I’ve never been kissed,” Obi-Wan confessed. “Siri tried a few months back, but I basically ran away from her.”

“Seriously? She told me that she did kiss you. I’m going to have to talk with Master Tholme about her and maybe even Master Nu or something. She needs counseling.” Quinlan frowned even as Obi-Wan sighed. “Right, I’ve derailed your whole speech. Continue.”

“I just want my first kiss to be with someone I trust. I want it to happen of my own free will. I’d like all of the other stuff to happen that way, too, of course. And I trust you the most. We’re not old enough for the other stuff. Master Tapal said he’d like me to be careful with experimentation and refrain from intercourse until I’m sexually mature.”

“Master Tholme said something similar to me,” Quinlan said. “But he also said that sexual intimacy could be considered a physical and mental release and that he uses sex to lower his stress. I don’t even want to get into that whole conversation he threw at me about masturbation.”

Obi-Wan made a face. “Do you think Master Tapal will make me talk about masturbation? I really hope not. He did ask me if I’d completed the sex education course, then he just left it at that.”

“I wish Master Tholme had asked me,” Quinlan said and set his cloak aside. “You know I kissed Garen last year.”

“After he also kissed Bant and Siri,” Obi-Wan said. “Then he decided he didn’t want to kiss anyone ever again, so I got skipped in his experimentation.” He paused. “Which makes me wonder if I’ve made a good decision. Apparently, kissing you put Garen off the whole thing for the rest of his life.”

Quinlan grinned. “You’ve got a smart mouth, Obi-Wan Kenobi.” He pulled a little. “Come here, then.”

Obi-Wan took a deep breath and forced himself to relax as Quinlan cupped the back of his head and pressed their mouths together. The kiss was just a soft brushing of their lips together, but it felt absolutely right. It was exactly what he’d expected it to be. Quinlan released him, and they stared at each other for a long moment, then they shared another soft, quick kiss.

Quinlan sat back and rubbed his thumb over Obi-Wan’s bottom lip. “Was that okay?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” Quinlan exhaled slowly. “I should admit that I’ve wanted to do that for a while. I just didn’t think it would be welcome. But please don’t freak out about my feelings. I won’t get weird about it.”

Obi-Wan took his friend’s hand again to prevent him from backing off completely. “You are welcome to get totally weird about it.”

Quinlan laughed. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Obi-Wan said and smiled. “But, friends first and always.”

“First and always,” Quinlan said in agreement.

* * * *

Asajj was so unimpressed with the High Council that she’d promptly curled up in Ky’s arms and gone to sleep shortly after being introduced. None of them appeared to be offended by the development.

“How is Padawan Kenobi settling in?” Jocasta Nu questioned.

“He has good instincts, impeccable manners, and his movement in the Force is truly elegant. He appears to have adapted to living on a ship easily enough. Not a surprise, considering how initiates are restricted in the temple. His current goal is to climb a tree that’s in the ground versus a planter. Of course, he’s also very sheltered, and I had to explain to him what a pleasure cruiser was.”

Mace Windu cleared his throat. “How did he respond?”

“He’s probably still brooding about it,” Jaro said, and several members of the Council laughed. “I plan to introduce him to Mila fairly soon just for the entertainment value alone. His Force sense is settling down with the limited interaction, and I believe he’ll be on an even keel on that front within the next year or so. It’s clear the Unifying Force is heavily invested in him.”

“Discourage that you should,” Yoda declared.

“With all due respect, Yoda, I’d never encourage anyone to cut themselves off from a Force aspect just because you find it offensive.” He raised an eyebrow when Yoda started to protest. “It’s inappropriate to seek to be one with the Force while attempting to mutilate your very connection to the Force. The Unifying Force guides Obi-Wan Kenobi, and I would never disrespect the Force by teaching him to ignore such guidance.”

“Live in the moment we should. Future in motion.” Yoda slashed a hand through the air. “Never focus on what could be.”

“What about what will be?” Jaro questioned, and Yoda blinked in surprise. “It’s not for us to decide how the Force interacts with us, Yoda. It is our duty as Jedi to be one with the Force and trust her with everything. I am ever devoted to the Force, and that is what I teach my apprentices. Each of my previous students move confidently in their lives content within the embrace of the Force. I can reach out and touch them, even now, and see into their hearts. Can you say the same?”

“I cannot.”

“You kept your Force bonds with your previous padawans?” Mace Windu questioned. “It isn’t overwhelming?”

“No, because I’ve taught my former students to move with great care on their path as a Jedi. I have nothing to fear from the connections I’ve kept with them. I know the calmness of their minds and the lovely quality of their hearts.”

Jaro glanced toward Ky and found Asajj awake and reaching for him. He took her easily and let her rest on his chest. She yawned and went back to sleep.

“Sure you are that you’ll keep Obi-Wan Kenobi as an apprentice?” Yoda questioned.

“I expect to keep Obi-Wan Kenobi at my side for at least the next ten years,” Jaro said dryly. “Stop trying to meddle, Yoda. I’m not as tolerant as some concerning such things.”

“Needs Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon does,” Yoda said pensively. “Will of the Force it is.”

“If Qui-Gon Jinn is so far gone that the only way to help him is to sacrifice the well-being of a child on his broken psyche, then he should be expelled from the Jedi Order entirely,” Ky interjected, and they all focused on him. “That sweet boy on Jaro’s ship deserves better. No child in this temple deserves to be the balm used to soothe Qui-Gon Jinn’s bruised ego.”

Eeth stood. “We should go.”

“Yes,” Jocasta Nu said with a small smile. “You should. Jaro, I’ve spoken with the Senate’s Anti-Enslavement Committee, and they’ve suggested that we launch a comm relay and HoloNet repeater in the Dathomir system if you can gain permission to do so. The Senate is interested in offering them a junior membership if they prove to have a centralized leadership. Either way, if Asajj is an isolated case or an example of a long-held habit—we should work to protect them from enslavement. Dathomir is a rare vergence in the Force, as you know.”

“Neither light nor dark,” Jaro said quietly. “A place of power. Some might even say the Dathomiri are the children of the Force.”

“Yes, some might even say that,” Jocasta agreed with a nod. “Let’s be careful in our interactions with them. Returning a stolen child to them will hopefully be considered a gesture of peace.”

* * * *

“Yoda is infuriating,” Jaro muttered as they boarded the Guardian.

“I don’t know how you didn’t curse him out,” Ky retorted. “I’m going to put her down in her cot and take a nap myself. I’m exhausted from all of that bantha dung.”

“I’ll have Enid wake you both for a meal in a few hours,” Jaro said, and the man nodded before heading for the lift. He focused on Eeth. “Staying with me or in a guest berth?”

“With you,” Eeth said with a mild glare and took himself off to Jaro’s quarters.

Jaro went to the bridge because the desire to get off Coruscant was immense. Obi-Wan was at the holotable as he entered the bridge, so he paused. “Did your meeting with Padawan Vos go well?”

“Yes, he really liked his cloak, and he gave me a little seeker droid that he confiscated on a mission. He found a whole box that was still in factory stasis. So, he programmed them. I haven’t activated her since I figured you’d want to check her out first. I wouldn’t want to compromise the security of the ship.”

“What kind of seeker droid?” Jaro questioned.

“An ID7. Her name is EV-QB1.” Obi-Wan blushed. “Quin said he found seven but paired them together for missions and was going to keep the seventh in reserve until he realized I might have a need of a little spy. She fits in the palm of my hand. He programmed her for communications, but she has a full spy protocol.”

“ID7s are special order seekers that can’t be bought on the commercial market,” Jaro said. “We can check her out together later. It’s a very thoughtful gift. Did he like his cloak?”

“He loved it. He even wore it off the ship,” Obi-Wan said. “Are we clear to go to Dathomir?”

“Yes, of course. Master Koth has joined us as a guest.” Jaro paused. “He’ll be staying in my quarters.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Questions?”

“No, sir,” Obi-Wan said, then hesitated. “Well, do I still get to sit in the co-pilot’s seat?”

“Yes, of course. You are my co-pilot, and everyone else on the ship is a guest,” Jaro said, and the boy smiled brightly in response.

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