Reading Time: 113 Minutes

Title: Trial by Fire
Series Title: The Genesis of a Jedi
Series Order: 2
Author: Keira Marcos
Fandom: Star Wars, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Relationship(s): Jaro Tapal/Eeth Koth, Obi-Wan Kenobi/Quinlan Vos
Genre: Alternate Universe, Science Fiction, Romance
Warnings: Canon Typical Violence, Explicit Sex, Character Bashing, Violence, Off-Screen Torture, Limb Replacement, Discussion-Grooming, Discussion-Sex Crimes, Discussion-Sexual Assault, Discussion-Child Predators, Discussion-Torture, 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, Grammarly Beta
Word Count: 58,781
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 italized 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: Betrayal from within leaves Jedi Master Jaro Tapal in the hands of the Sennex Pirates, a group of slavers he’s worked against for decades. Separated from his padawan, and in a slave collar, his options are few and the only solace he has is that they didn’t get their hands on Obi-Wan, too. He fully expects rescue, he just wasn’t expecting it come in the form that it did.

* * * *

Chapter 1

Obi-Wan’s hands clenched tightly into fists as he stared at the near-dormant holotable. He’d sent three messages to Coruscant and none of them had been answered. Not even Master Koth had responded, and that was so startling and unprecedented that he was concerned that maybe the planet had actually imploded or something.

“Enid,” Obi-Wan began and took a deep breath. “Thoughts?”

“The Jedi Temple on Coruscant has been compromised,” the shipboard AI said crisply. “Further attempts to communicate are dangerous. I recommend we leave this area immediately. We can run quiet in a major hyperspace lane and get lost in the commercial traffic.”

Enid was right. They should’ve kept moving after leaving Kessel, but he’d been in terrible shape, and the crew had allowed him to make the decisions despite that.

“Ace,” Obi-Wan said, and the R2 unit nudged his leg gently. “Get us out of here. Plot a course for Bespin, low profile in the lane, and keep our speed steady with others around us so we don’t stand out.”

“Of course, Obi-Wan,” Ace said and rolled away.

Obi-Wan took a deep breath and said nothing when Twobit put a hand on his shoulder. The med droid had been hovering over him since he’d gotten back to the ship, injured and alone. “I’m fine.”

“Physically,” Twobit agreed. “My apologies for threatening to sedate you.”

“Yes, well, I did need sleep,” Obi-Wan admitted. “I was being unreasonable. Enid, focus on the intelligence we received from the committee, and please find out how much of it was manufactured. Break it down by source so we can try to figure out who sold us out.”

“How does Jaro feel?” Twobit questioned.

“Our bond is still solid,” Obi-Wan said. “He doesn’t seem to be injured, but we both know that he would try to hide that from me. Generally speaking, he’s absolutely furious.”

“He’s entitled to be,” Enid said.

“Do you think our messages are being diverted or deleted?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“Republic channels are heavily protected and guarded on a cyber level,” Enid said. “Which means our messages are being manipulated either at the temple itself or the orbital comm relay station at Coruscant. I want to believe it’s not happening within the temple.”

“I want the same,” Obi-Wan said quietly. “But we know there is a Sith on Coruscant, and such ideology has always found purchase within the Jedi Order, no matter how much we wish differently. The dark side is seductive, Enid, and some are tempted beyond reason by the power and illusion of freedom it offers.”

“Is it merely an illusion?”

“Yes, of course, it is,” Obi-Wan said roughly. “Freedom is a myth.”

“I don’t understand, Obi-Wan,” Enid said. “Are you not free?”

“I have rights given to me by a government and rules that I must follow by an organization I agreed to become part of,” Obi-Wan said. “I enjoy free will and personal liberty, but I am hindered by rules, laws, and regulations. I am not genuinely free to act as I wish. No one in a civilized society should be. Thus, freedom is merely a fantasy for most, and for the Sith, it is a crime. They seek to do as they wish with no consequences ever, no matter the outcome.”

“If a government has given you rights, then that same government could take those rights away from you,” Enid said. “Thus, you don’t have freedom.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “But liberty is another matter altogether. To free a slave is to give them liberty and free will. Both of which are priceless.”

Clank leaned against him, her metal fingers curling around his leg. “Jaro doesn’t have liberty.”

“No, someone has taken it from him,” Obi-Wan said quietly. “And that cannot stand.” He cleared his throat. “I can’t risk contacting anyone at this point. Enid, scan your network for issues and problems to make sure we aren’t being tracked. Clank, search the ship for surveillance devices. Ask your sister to join you.” He pulled his personal droid from her pocket on his utility belt, and Evie unfolded silently. “You can search the vents.”

“Of course,” Evie said. She shot upward, hooked a foot into the vent, and pushed it open so she could slide inside.

“I shall go prepare you a meal,” Twobit said. “And you will eat it.”

“I’ll eat,” Obi-Wan promised.

“Yesterday, all you ate was birthday cake,” Enid said.

“I was upset,” Obi-Wan exclaimed huffily. “And it was my birthday cake. I’m allowed to eat half a cake when my master gets stolen by wretched pirates, Enid.”

“You tell her, Tiny Meatbag,” Ace encouraged from the bridge.

“You’d think at the age of fourteen that you’d be above emotional eating,” Enid retorted.

“I’m going to eat my emotions until I’m twenty,” Obi-Wan muttered. “Besides, bacta injections make me hungry.” He rubbed his side.

He’d escaped the ambush because his master had given the Sennex Pirates the fight of their lives. But he’d broken two ribs in the process and killed one of the pirates. He really didn’t want to think too much about that part, but processing it was a must. Obi-Wan owed it to his master to be centered and focused. He needed to work the problem from a place of rational and careful thought like he’d been taught to do.

“What do you wish to do?” Twobit questioned as he presented Obi-Wan with a plate.

Obi-Wan took the plate and put it down on the holotable. He picked up the bantha burger and started to eat as he watched the data that Enid was analyzing. “I’m going to do something…dangerous.”

“I’m in,” Ace announced as he rolled back to them. “We’re riding the wake of a freighter. Traffic is heavy. We aren’t going to stick out. There is a leisure boat that’s probably going to get jacked inside the next hour if we don’t interfere. They’ve got at least one stalker on their course.”

Obi-Wan made a face. He knew what his master would’ve done and considered the chances of him successfully faking his master’s authority in such a situation. “Let’s watch them and make sure they’re actually casing the idiot with no security awareness. They could be following us and using the other ship as a cover. This is a triage situation, Ace. We can’t help ourselves or Master Tapal if we end up in the hands of pirates ourselves.”

“We could report them to a sector ranger,” Enid suggested. “Stalkers don’t work alone, so there are at least two small spacecraft. We’ll tag them, report them, and be prepared to destroy them if they approach us.”

Obi-Wan took a deep breath and nodded. “Sounds like a plan. Ace, keep a watch on them, and figure out where their partner is. Then we’ll send a report to a sector ranger when we’re ready to change course.”

“Good,” Ace said. “Now, what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to commune with the Force,” Obi-Wan said quietly. “And ask her, very nicely, to tell me where Master Tapal is.”

“You aren’t supposed to do that without Jaro,” Enid said. “You promised.”

Obi-Wan took a deep breath. “Do you have any other way of finding him for certain, Enid?”

“No, the moment they entered hyperspace, my ability to track Jaro disappeared,” Enid admitted. “What will we do if you get lost?”

“I won’t get lost,” Obi-Wan said firmly. “And Rust Bucket can poke me until I come out of it if it takes too long.” He glanced toward the RT unit, and Ace waved his navigation probe menacingly. “He’s practicing already.”

“Finish your food first,” Enid suggested.

Obi-Wan took his plate and sat down on the bench. “Would they take him to Tatooine?”

“Isn’t it too obvious?” Enid questioned. “They have one reported base on the planet at Jabba the Hutt’s leisure. Masana would have more information on that subject. Do we risk trying to contact her?”

“No,” Obi-Wan said. “I trust her, but something is going on with our communications, and she’s at the temple on Coruscant as well.” He took a deep breath. “What if I can’t ever return to the temple? What if it’s gone? I feel…very isolated right now, Enid. I don’t know what to do.”

“We’ve got your back, Obi-Wan,” Twobit said. “It’s important that you center yourself and be resolved in your actions going forward. In the event that Jaro is…killed, the ship is yours, and we will be your crew. We’ll take care of each other just like he would want.”

“I have faith in all of you,” Obi-Wan said. “And they’re not going to kill him. He’s too valuable alive.” He took a deep breath. “But they might torture him, and they’ve certainly collared him. It makes me sick to think about it.”

“Jaro is strong,” Enid said.

Obi-Wan nodded. “Yes, he is.”

He’d put his faith in Master Tapal the day he’d become a padawan, and Obi-Wan didn’t regret it in the least. He trusted that his master was doing everything he could to survive and that trust would help him push through all the things standing between them.

“Everything will be okay,” he said to himself.

* * * *

Jaro pressed his back against the wall and stared at the so-called pirate king standing outside the cell they’d put him in. The bars were electrified. He flexed his left hand in remembered pain. He’d already sought a brief healing trance to repair the damage he’d done to his skin. The slaver was humanoid, but there were no overt characteristics to determine species. The man was probably Human, and Jaro made two of him in size, but the control collar around his neck would do enough damage to him to keep him in check, at least briefly.

The man smiled, smug and clearly content with his power over the situation. “You’re going to make me a lot of money.”

Jaro stared. “Sure about that?”

He grinned. “Yeah. We’ll just have to make sure you’re disciplined properly to obey your betters.”

“There’s isn’t a slaver alive better than me,” Jaro said evenly. “You’re all disgusting bastards with no redeeming value. You aren’t worth the flesh and bone used to make you.”

“My name is Del Ondes, and I’m the man who will sell you, Jaro Tapal. There isn’t a damn thing you can do about it. You’re a slave now, and you owe me a lot of credits. I’ve got my men looking for that pretty boy of yours as well. The better you behave, the less he will suffer when we get our hands on him.” He wet his lips. “Of course, I might keep him for myself. I do like the pretty ones.”

Jaro pushed his fury down deep to keep his expression neutral. He stared at Del Ondes then he slowly smiled. The man blinked and took a step back from the cell door.

“Del Ondes,” Jaro said with a slow nod.

“You’re in no position to threaten me,” Ondes hissed.

“Do you feel threatened?” Jaro questioned, and the man glared at him.

He leaned forward, fury reddening his face. “You should remember I have the control for that collar you’re wearing, and it’s rated for a Wookiee. It’ll hold the likes of you in line just fine.”

It actually wouldn’t. Jaro filed that information away. They’d only activated the collar once, and the shock had been mild. He’d believed it to be a warning, but maybe it was the most the device had to offer.

“The slugs are going to fight over you,” Ondes said smugly. “Four different ones have had a price on your head for over a decade. They’re very excited.”

“You might have considered exactly why no one’s tried to take that bounty in the last decade,” Jaro said coolly.

Ondes glared at him then left.

“You shouldn’t antagonize them,” the woman in the cell next to him said.

Jaro focused on her. “How far along is your pregnancy?”

“I’ve another four months,” she said. “They want to wait until I’ve given birth so they can sell us both to make more money. They stole me from another slave syndicate.”

Jaro nodded. “When rescue comes—I need you to trust me. You’re not wearing a collar. Do you know if you’ve been chipped?”

“Yes, it’s in the back of my neck,” she murmured. “They say if I try to escape, it’ll blow my head off.”

“It can be neutralized and removed,” Jaro said and cracked his neck.

“Are you sure rescue will come?”

“Do you know what a Jedi is?” Jaro questioned, and she nodded slowly. “I’ve been a Jedi since I was a very small child, and I will turn eighty-six years old in a few months. I have many loyal friends, and someone will come for me. I’ll make sure you come with me.” He paused. “And your child, if they’ve already been born. If you’ve already been sold at that point, I will find you both. You have my word on it.”

“A boy,” she said and patted her stomach. “He’s already such a gift to me. Ondes said your name was Jaro?”

“Yes, Jedi Master Jaro Tapal at your service.”

She nodded and took a deep breath. “Shmi Skywalker.” She looked down at her belly. “My boy’s name is Anakin.”

“How long have you been a slave?” Jaro questioned.

“My parents were indentured servants, and they eventually sold me to free themselves,” Shmi said. “They left Tatooine years ago and did not bother to seek me out. I was sold for the first time at the age of ten.”

“I’m sorry for it,” Jaro said. “It’s a very familiar story, but it never ceases to be anything but infuriating and disheartening.”

“I’ve come to terms with my life years ago,” Shmi said. “I wish for better for my son.” She took a deep breath. “I won’t be able to move fast. But, if they have time to save me as well, I will be ready. You’re…far more valuable than I am, Jaro.”

“I am not,” Jaro muttered. “I don’t measure life in such a way, Shmi Skywalker.” He took a deep breath. “They’re probably going to torture me. They won’t risk taking me out of this cell to do it. I need you to be prepared for it. Getting upset won’t be good for your child. I’m strong—short of killing me, there isn’t much these people can do to me that will cause permanent physical damage. They aren’t going to remove limbs, as it would lower my value for slave labor. I suspect they’ll use this collar to avoid getting in the cell with me.”

He focused on her and found her staring at him in horror.

“I can’t see how I’m not going to get upset,” she admitted a little huffily.

The tone reminded him of Obi-Wan.

“Just remember what he said—this collar was made for a Wookiee.” He paused. “And I’m not Wookiee.” Her eyes widened slightly, and she nodded. “Their ignorance is going to serve us both.”

“How did you get here?” Shmi asked.

“I was given bad intelligence on this syndicate,” Jaro said roughly. “Very thorough intel from a source I’ve trusted for quite a while. I had it analyzed, and nothing stood out as a problem. My padawan and I have been working on destroying the operations of a Hutt named Wallanooga and he works hand-in-hand with the Sennex Pirates. He’s an arms dealer, for the most part, but has been dabbling in the slave trade for the credits.”

“Slugs never make enough money,” Shmi muttered, and Jaro nodded.

“We were ambushed, and I ordered my padawan to run. I stayed back to keep them busy, and I was captured. They were prepared to take me down and had a stun weapon powerful enough to do it. I woke up in this collar and in this cell. I don’t know how long I’ve been here or how many days they managed to keep me unconscious.”

“It took six of them to haul you in here last night,” Shmi said. “They complained the whole time and kept asking Ondes why they couldn’t get the droids to do it. He said droids were expensive, and he didn’t want to get one of them destroyed if you woke up.”

Jaro laughed.

“What’s a padawan? I’ve heard the term once or twice, but never an explanation as to what their role is in the Jedi Order.”

“An apprentice. The Jedi Order begins such relationships around the age of twelve, though sometimes younger or older, depending on the species. My padawan is named Obi-Wan Kenobi and he recently turned fourteen. He’s Human.” He took a deep breath and focused on his hands. “But he got away, and that’s the most I could’ve hoped for in this situation. He knows exactly what he must do.”

“Will he do it? He must be scared to be alone.”

“He’s a Jedi Knight in training,” Jaro said. “And follows my orders without fail.”

“Do you suppose they’re listening to us talk?”

“I don’t see any surveillance devices, and they wouldn’t waste money on the kind that could be hidden. They arrogantly believe they’re in control and don’t care what happens in here.” Jaro flexed his hands and wondered which one of the bastards was toting his lightsaber around like a trophy.

His kyber crystal was incredibly loyal and would resist the use of anyone else. The blade would be little more than a blunt instrument in the hand of a Sennex Pirate with no Force potential, and yet the thought of his lightsaber being desecrated in such a fashion left him bereft. A woman entered, threw some unwrapped meal bars into their cells then left without speaking. He picked up the three she’d given him and glanced toward Shmi.

“Did you get enough to eat?”

“They always give me more than I need,” Shmi said. “They aren’t certain how much I need for the pregnancy. I have three stashed away in my robe. Did you need another?”

“No, despite my size, a single bar will serve as a meal.” He tucked his extras away in his own robe.

“If you put your flask at the front of the cell, they’ll refill it with water in an hour.”

He’d not touched the flask since he’d woken up. Not because he feared it was drugged or poisoned but merely because his species carried enough water to last him days without a resupply. Jaro grimaced but picked up the flask and drank all of the water provided. He didn’t want them to start to question his physiology. He put the flask in a similar place to where Shmi had put hers and slouched back against the wall to eat.

Curious, he gently prodded the flask using the Force, and the collar stayed still on his neck. He huffed a little as he realized whoever had put the collar on hadn’t activated the security feature on it to punish him for overtly using the Force. He’d figured his meditation trance from earlier hadn’t been recognized due to the lack of physical movement.

Though it was considered a dark act, he was tempted to Force choke the hell out of whoever came near him next. If a Jedi was made to kill with the Force, it should be done as quickly and as painlessly as possible. Choking someone to death was essentially torture and against the very tenets of his kind. Still, Jaro was currently in a deeply uncomfortable place mentally and was prepared to own it.

After all, he was in a goddamned slave collar.

* * * *

Obi-Wan sat down in the center of the training arena and smiled when both Tink and Clank sat down in front of him. A survey of the ship had found no devices of any kind that could be tracking or spying on them so there was that. They’d checked the comm relay again and sent an anonymous report to a sector ranger about the pirates in the hyperspace lane shortly before they’d set a new course.

Ace was currently refueling the ship at a fuel depot not far from Bespin. An operation owned and operated by Mila the Destroyer. He was tempted to go to Mila and basically wallow in the comfort and security she could provide. But their circumstances were difficult, and trusting anyone outside of the ship felt stupidly dangerous. He didn’t want to put anyone else in danger. However, he knew that Mila would find such a thought on his part offensive.

He settled down into the Force easily and tried to ignore the emotional hurt that rose in him of not feeling his master close. They’d begun every single day for over a year in meditation together. Tears welled in his eyes and slipped down his cheeks despite his best intentions. Obi-Wan pulled the emotions close for a long moment, then released them into the Force as he’d been taught to do.

A calm, cool, and soothing sensation settled over him as the Force embraced him. Images flitted through his mind, and he tried to ignore the building horror as once more he was thrown into a vision of Mustafar and the fight he was determined to never, ever experience for himself. It was a brutal fight, and the emotional turmoil of his other self was just as overwhelming as it had been the first time.

Nothing looked more agonizing than lava, Obi-Wan thought as he firmly pushed the vision away. He didn’t need to see it again. It was still burned in his brain from before, and he knew it would stay with him for a very long time. He understood the warning the Force gave him the first time. The images shifted, and he was grateful even if it was an endless sea of sand dunes.

Tatooine.

He was very familiar with the planet as it was a hub of illegal activity and heavily used by slave traders. They held large auctions on the world often, and Master Tide made a habit of attacking and taking slaves from convoys going to the world every single chance she got. But Master Tide was currently at the temple recovering from an injury and enduring her padawan’s coddling.

The feel of metal in his hand caused him to shift mentally and he released the meditative state far more easily than he’d expected. Clank was holding his hand. He smiled at the pit droid and took a deep breath.

“I’m fine.”

She nodded, released his hand, and stood. “So, where are we going?”

“As it turns out, the Sennex Pirates are idiots. They’re on Tatooine.”

“I do not desire to have extremely intelligent enemies,” Enid said. “But, it’s galling to be taken unaware by a bunch of morons.”

“They’re just the tool that the Sith used against us,” Obi-Wan said simply as he stood. “And they’re going to regret agreeing to it for years to come. Because I’m going to go bomb their stupid base to pieces and get Master Tapal back.”

“War it is!” Ace declared and rolled back toward the bridge.

“He’s such a bad influence,” Enid said, and Ob-Wan agreed, but he honestly didn’t care.

Obi-Wan entered the bridge and did something he’d never done before; he sat down in the pilot seat. He’d flown the ship several times, with Master Tapal close by, but always in the co-pilot seat. But he needed the right mindset for the mission because he was in charge. That meant he needed to focus and remain as calm as possible.

“Set course for Tatooine, Ace,” Obi-Wan ordered, and the droid joined him at the navigation terminal.

His hands were steady as he grasped the controls, accepted the navigation setting, and engaged the engines at the best possible speed. They entered the hyperspace plane, and he kept his focus entirely on piloting instead of engaging the autopilot or allowing Ace to take over. Obi-Wan knew he couldn’t undertake the whole trip in the pilot seat as they were well over nine hours away from Tatooine.

He needed rest, and he needed to prepare for what he would face on Tatooine. But for the moment, piloting the Guardian eased a part of him. He felt closer to Master Tapal sitting in his seat. Clank brought him a bowl of food and he accepted it without complaint as Ace engaged the autopilot. He stayed in the seat, curling up in the larger-than-average chair with a bowl of rice grain and chicken.

“It’ll be okay, Obi-Wan,” Twobit said gently. “Jaro is a very good Jedi.”

“The best I’ve ever known,” Obi-Wan said, and he brushed a tear hastily from his cheek. “I just hate the thought of him being hurt. They’ll want to try to break him. You know how slavers operate.”

“Yes, but fortunately, very little is known about Lasats,” Twobit said. “They don’t understand how robust his physiology is, and they’ll probably treat him like a Wookiee. It is a scenario we’ve encountered in the past.”

“They had to have done a lot of damage to him to take him hostage,” Obi-Wan said and the silence that followed wasn’t comforting.

“Or, they came prepared to knock him out,” Twobit countered. “Any weapon that would stun a Wookiee would also stun a Lasat, at least briefly. Especially if they used more than one stun gun.”

“Perhaps as many as three,” Obi-Wan acknowledged, and Ace beeped sadly. “I know, Rust Bucket. It’ll be…we’ll get him back. We’re not going to let them sell him.”

“Maybe they already have,” Ace said.

“No,” Enid said firmly. “They have a very established procedure that we’ve studied for decades, Ace. You know that. They aren’t going to risk selling him until they believe they have him under control.”

“Unless they plan to turn him in for a bounty,” Ace retorted.

“No listed bounty is going to match what they could get for him from auction,” Enid said. “Don’t be fatalistic. They’re probably arranging for a private auction to take place even as we speak, and it will happen no less than a month from now based on their established process.”

“You and I both know it will take longer than a month to break Master Tapal,” Obi-Wan said. “I think they’ll end up killing him before he’ll capitulate.”

“So, they’re certainly working to get their hands on you in order to control him,” Twobit said. “We need a plan that ensures you don’t leave the ship at any point during the rescue. You’ll end up being used against him.”

Obi-Wan frowned but then nodded. Evie wiggled out of her pocket and perched herself on the arm of the chair. “Thoughts?”

“I can go into the base and scout,” Evie said. “And create a floor plan. I’ll try to locate his lightsaber as well since they’ve surely separated it from him.”

“Could you lift his saber?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“I can lift and carry up to five kilograms,” Evie reminded, and he nodded. “Also, I can drag it once I have it in a vent. He probably wouldn’t appreciate such treatment of his weapon, but needs must.”

“I can put her down on the surface,” Twobit said. “The twins will set explosive charges around their base as we might as well blow the place once we’re done with it.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “Yeah, okay.” He ate some more as he considered what else to do and absently accepted the water pouch that Tink offered. “We’ll need to be prepared to take on any other slaves they have in the compound, as Master Tapal won’t leave without them.”

“We could paint targets on any ships they might have on the ground,” Ace suggested. “Since we need to be careful with targeting until we know where Jaro is.”

Obi-Wan chewed as he thought about the suggestions. “Evie, you’ll need to concentrate on getting his grappling hook, as that will be his path to returning to the ship. We can’t afford to land this ship as long as he’s on the ground and not in command. I hate to say it, but his lightsaber must be a secondary concern as long as he’s in the slave collar they’ve surely put on him. Once he can move freely and without fear of pain, then he can make the decisions.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Enid said crisply. “You should get some sleep after you eat. We’ll take care of the ship, Obi-Wan, and wake you before we arrive at our destination.”

Obi-Wan ran his spoon around in his near-empty bowl. “Are we doing the right thing? Should I try to contact anyone else?”

“No,” Twobit said when Enid said nothing. “We don’t know why we didn’t get a response from the High Council or Master Koth. We can’t put you or the ship at risk, Obi-Wan, by drawing attention to your continued freedom. The Sith must assume at this point that the Sennex Pirates have caught you as well.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “Unless the Sith and the pirates have been in contact.”

“I’m unsure if the Sith would risk such contact over a holocomm,” Enid said. “But I also assumed the Sennex Pirates wouldn’t take Jaro to a very well-known base of operations.”

Obi-Wan laughed sadly. “He’s going to be so furiously insulted over that part.”

Twobit took the empty bowl from his hand and touched his shoulder just briefly. “Please get some sleep.”

He nodded and left the chair reluctantly. Obi-Wan took a deep breath and went to his room. He took a quick sonic shower, redressed instead of putting on pajamas and laid down. Pulling the Force close to him, as Master Tapal had taught him, felt better than any blanket he could imagine. He drifted off to sleep, hoping that he wouldn’t have a nightmare like he had the last time he’d gone to sleep.

 

Chapter 2

Shmi was as close to the bars that separated them as she dared when Jaro looked her way. Her eyes were wide but dry as she stared at him. The slaver’s footfalls faded quickly as the door to the room slid shut, leaving them alone once more.

He rolled over onto his back, chest heaving, and took a deep breath at the pain ebbing down his spine. It had hurt, but he’d screamed like he was in agony. Fortunately, Del Ondes was an idiot who had faith in his own lies and in the power he believed himself to have.

“I’m okay.”

Shmi made a huffy noise. “You ought to cut his head off before we leave.”

Jaro laughed a little and used the Force to snag his water flask. He sat up and drank deeply from the metal container until it was empty, closed it, and tossed it across the cell so it clanked against the bars. Current arced off it briefly. Then he shifted around until he could rest against the wall.

“You’ve got burn marks on your neck,” Shmi said quietly. “But there’s no blood. I’ve seen the collars draw blood before—from skin becoming raw.”

“My skin is thicker than most humanoids,” Jaro said roughly. “I can count on one hand the number of times that my skin has been broken by accident.”

“What color is your blood?”

Jaro laughed. “The same as yours.”

“Okay.” She sat back against the wall with a sigh. “You scream like a girl. I won’t tell anyone.”

Jaro grinned at her and pulled out one of his hidden meal bars. “I figured if I roared, as my kind are prone to doing when they’re as furious as I am, it would make the situation worse.”

“You don’t look furious.”

“A Jedi is trained to release such emotions into the Force to increase our ability to think rationally,” Jaro said.

“How’s that working out for you?” she asked, clearly curious.

“It’s going to take a while for me to think rationally about being in a collar,” Jaro admitted, and she hummed her agreement.

“I might tell people you scream like a girl,” Shmi admitted and shrugged when he glanced her way. “That’s not the kind of information you can keep to yourself forever.”

“If it entertains you,” Jaro agreed, and she laughed.

He leaned back against the wall and touched on his bonds carefully. He’d done everything he could to keep them from knowing what was happening to him. Though, they all had to know that he’d been taken by slavers at this point. Yaddle would’ve contacted his former students, and he hoped that Eeth was already on board the Guardian.

What he found was alarm and building horror from every single bond except for the one he shared with Obi-Wan. It didn’t make any sense at all unless…. His stomach clenched as he considered the fact that even Eeth seemed to be ignorant of his circumstances.

Jaro pulled gently on his bond with Eeth, and his lover seemed to cling to it desperately. He couldn’t lie and project that he was fine when he clearly wasn’t. He wasn’t safe either. Jaro swallowed hard and slowly muted the bonds one by one until only the one with Obi-Wan thrummed in his mind.

There was no way he could mute the bond he had with his current padawan. Obi-Wan was too young, and muting the bond would only make the boy worry more than he already was. His padawan was sleeping and felt calm. Jaro pulled the Force to himself and allowed himself to relax in the embrace of the power that had been with him all of his life.

His master’s Force presence slipped over his mind then, and he realized she’d pushed through his attempt to mute the connection. Her concern felt urgent and heavy on his mind. Yaddle had rarely ever been so insistent with him—not even when he’d been a padawan. He tried to gentle the connection so that she’d understand that he was basically fine despite his inability to communicate directly with her.

What was wrong on the Guardian that not even Enid could reach out to the temple? Obi-Wan was sleeping and didn’t seem to be hurt. In fact, his boy felt safe, and that was relieving. In the year and a half, since they’d become master and apprentice, he’d come to find a great deal of comfort in his padawan’s very gentle and careful presence within the Force. He’d never had a student like him, and honestly, probably never would again.

One of the slavers returned to the room at that moment, so he opened his eyes to find the woman who brought the food smirking at him. She tossed him a few bars and removed the empty flask then tossed in another.

“Eat up, Big Guy, we’re going to have a special guest tomorrow. A preview of our upcoming sale and you’re the main attraction. We want you to look your best.”

Jaro glanced briefly at the food she’d tossed at him, then focused on her. He stared until she shifted on her feet, and the smile slowly disappeared.

“What?” she demanded.

“You’re disgusting,” Jaro said simply. “I find it obscene that you exist.”

Her eyes widened with shock, and she pressed her lips together briefly before glaring at him. “Fuck you.”

Jaro picked up the meal bars and took a bite of one. The woman fed Shmi then stormed out of the room.

“Do you intend to make them all hate you?” Shmi questioned curiously.

“I intend to see them all dead or arrested,” Jaro retorted, and she laughed. “And I don’t care how they feel about me. They don’t even deserve to breathe the same air as you and I. Remember that, Madame Skywalker. Slavers are nothing but filth. Living, breathing filth, and they deserve nothing—not even pity.”

Yaddle poked him again through their bond, and he poked back, which seemed to amuse his tiny master. Some Jedi, those aligned with the Cosmic Force, could communicate more directly through a Force bond, but his affinity was with the Physical Force and his master’s with the Living Force. As a result, they’d never had a bond where direct communication was possible.

He felt his master retreat, and he could once more focus on Eeth, who was still clinging to their bond. The desire to soothe his lover was nothing new, but communication between them over the bond had been a bit one-sided due to Eeth’s affinity with the Cosmic Force. Eeth wanted his location, that was clear, and Jaro didn’t know for certain.

Jaro turned to Shmi. “We’re on Tatooine, correct?”

“Yes,” she said and made a face. “I’d honestly hoped they might sell me elsewhere. I really hate sand.”

“I have agreements with several Republic worlds to relocate former slaves,” Jaro said. “Alderaan would be a lovely option for you—it’s a lush world full of forests, deep blue oceans, and high mountains with precious little in the way of deserts.”

“Sold,” Shmi said wryly. “It’s a lovely dream.”

“It’s going to be your reality,” Jaro said.

He refocused his attention on Eeth, who was prodding and pulling at their bond in his worry. Jaro had never successfully given his lover a single word through bond communication, so he focused on thinking about how hot and miserable Tatooine was. He thought about the dunes and the vast desert that covered the entire planet. Jaro imagined the sand running through his fingers and sliding between his toes as he walked.

Eeth deepened the connection, and the word Tatooine whispered across his mind. Jaro took a deep breath and sent as much approval as he could. It was enough because Eeth calmed down immediately, and the urgency disappeared from the other bonds as well. He realized, then, that they were all together. Well, everyone but Obi-Wan.

Where was his padawan?

He touched on the bond with Obi-Wan again and found the boy was awake and working. He felt determined and focused. Jaro found that very concerning and mentally started to work on the lecture he was going to give. Why hadn’t Obi-Wan done as instructed? They had protocols in place for separation and for capture. He was supposed to take the ship, find a safe location to broadcast, and seek help from the High Council in the event that he’d been left alone.

Yet, clearly, that’s not what happened.

Jaro prodded Obi-Wan gently, and the bond was nudged carefully in return in a way that radiated confidence and clarity. He was both proud and irritated.

What was his boy doing?

* * * *

The best part of the scenario was that Tatooine had no central government and no one with any real authority to answer to. The Sennex Pirates were using a pre-fab building that had been set down on a part of the planet called Jundland Wastes. It was far away from Jabba the Hutt’s territory, so that was something. The building itself was tucked away at the bottom of a cliff, and they had plenty of room to land in front of it and above it. Though, he certainly wouldn’t be doing either.

Scans of the building had revealed just ten occupants. There were four empty starships on the ground—mostly old and not worth confiscating as far as he was concerned. In fact, destroying them would send a message, and that was what he wanted to do. Clearly, the Sennex Pirates needed a life lesson, and he was going to give them one.

“Tink, Clank—you guys ready?”

“Yep,” Clank said and hitched the backpack she was wearing up a little as she rocked on her feet. “We’re ready to blow shit up.”

“Language,” Obi-Wan said mildly, and Enid laughed.

Evie lifted off of his shoulder in favor of Twobit’s when the droid joined them. “We’re ready, too. Right, Twobit?”

“Of course,” Twobit said. “I’m always ready.”

Obi-Wan grinned at them. “Okay, I’ve marked the locations for the explosives. Master Tapal will decide regarding detonation unless he’s too injured to give the order. We want to send a message, not commit mass murder, so the charges should just render the building and starships useless. Putting a slaver in prison is better than dead, in my opinion.”

“Agreed,” Twobit said.

“It’s best to leave at least one person alive to tell the tale,” Ace said. “It’ll dissuade further acts of foolishness.”

Obi-Wan figured it was best to never let Ace actually plan a mission. Though, in truth, he didn’t think he’d lose any sleep over any of the slavers dying as they were the scum of the galaxy. Maybe that was a ruthless position to take, but he’d learned along the way that free will was precious and anyone who would seek to destroy it did not deserve mercy.

The path of the Guardian within the Jedi Order was certainly the most resolute, and it called for a deep connection to the Force. It also required the mental fortitude to accept the kind of duty that most in the Order would find deeply objectionable. Obi-Wan had known that from the start, and he still believed it to be his duty to do for others what they couldn’t do for themselves.

“Ace, take us down,” Obi-Wan ordered, and the droid rolled away with a cheerful whistle.

Twobit, Evie, and the twins left the holotable in favor of the exit ramp. He glanced that way just once, then focused on the holo projection being displayed above the table. All of the life signs were marked. They’d made some educated guesses about where the slave cells were. It was surprising to see only two life signs in the largest room in the building.

He’d seen such facilities before, and the first time was a building identical to the one below them. There had been over a hundred slaves in that holding area, and they’d been in the worst sort of condition. Two had died despite medical intervention. The small syndicate responsible hadn’t survived the discovery by Master Tide. Master Tapal had joined her to help with transport so Obi-Wan had missed the initial take over. All of the slavers had either been arrested or dead by the time he’d set foot on the planet.

“They must have a supply coming in,” Obi-Wan said. “We should contact Master Tide when we’re certain that our communications are secure.”

“Agreed,” Enid said. “I’m compiling a report for her, and we’ll cull all of the data from this facility before destroying it. And remember, Evie will be setting up a transmitter in their computer core during the course of her mission.”

Obi-Wan nodded and exhaled slowly. “Okay, you have permission to access the weapons and fire upon any spacecraft or individual who presents themselves as a threat to you during the course of this operation.”

“Understood, Obi-Wan,” Enid said.

It was a rare circumstance as Master Tapal preferred to make such decisions for himself during a mission, but Obi-Wan had a lot on his plate with keeping track of the droids and finding his master. He trusted Enid to make the proper decisions regarding the use of the weapons on board the ship. In fact, Enid was the only non-organic crew member allowed to use the shipboard weapons. Ace was probably qualified to do it, but no one was all that interested in letting the little mercenary RT unit have access to proton torpedoes.

“Jaro’s commlink is active,” Enid reported. “I’ve forwarded the coordinates to Evie as it might lead her to his equipment.”

He checked the floor plan. “On the opposite side of the building. At least they weren’t stupid enough to leave his lightsaber anywhere close to him. I mean, they’re idiots, but they at least have some sense of self-preservation.”

“It’d not surprise me to find one of the criminals carrying the lightsaber around.”

The thought was so appalling that Obi-Wan made a disgusted face and crossed his arms. “Let’s hope they haven’t done something so base as that.” He let his hand fall to his own lightsaber briefly and took a deep breath.

“Can you articulate why you find such a thing so offensive?” Enid questioned.

“I built my lightsaber,” Obi-Wan said. “It’s an extension of my use of the Force, and I have a bond with the kyber crystal itself. I would consider it an intimacy to put it in the hand of another. To have it taken from me and wielded by a stranger would be an immense violation.” He paused then. “In fact, I would say that my lightsaber is the only thing that I own that I consider to be irreplaceable. I certainly would replace it if required, but it would be very upsetting, and it wouldn’t be the same. My bond with a new crystal would be very different.”

“Do you think your position on this subject is common amongst the Jedi Order?” Enid question.

“No,” Obi-Wan admitted. “It’s clear that many have no such attachment to their lightsaber. Some don’t even allow the creation of a bond between themselves and their kyber crystal.”

“Why did you?” Enid questioned.

“It wasn’t a conscious decision,” Obi-Wan said. “It happened, I guess, because I wasn’t opposed to it.”

He left the holotable and went to the ramp as the ship stopped and started to hover. Twobit opened the ramp, walked down it, and nimbly jumped to the ground. They lifted off again, and Obi-Wan shut the ramp. They were going to use the holotable and the floor plan of the building to monitor Evie’s exploration.

Obi-Wan pushed down the nerves as Enid added the other droids to the larger image. Twobit could move fast, which was why he was on the ground with the twins and Evie. The med droid wouldn’t act as an assassin, but he would defend himself and others vigorously. It was a relief that Twobit had arranged his own programming to serve the mission the best that he could without violating his basic function as a healer.

Evie was inside the building. Obi-Wan watched her move in the direction of the commlink first, then toward the area where they assumed Master Tapal to be.

“Be okay,” he murmured. “Please.”

* * * *

Jaro glanced briefly up at the ceiling and shook his head just a little as food was delivered. It was a different woman from before and he was amused to have annoyed the other woman so much that she was avoiding the duty. He noted, also, that he only got one meal bar while Shmi got two. Punishment, he thought, and would’ve laughed if the circumstances were different.

Obi-Wan was very close to him now, and from the movement in the vent above him was any indication—more than one of the droids from the Guardian was on the planet. The slaver left with a disgusted look in his direction and slammed the door. His commlink dropped down first, and he caught it nimbly, then clipped it to the inside of his cuff.

The grate from the vent swung downward and hung from a hinge, then Evie dropped his wrist unit down. It contained his grappling hook. He wrapped it around his left wrist and checked the time for the first time in days. It was late in the evening on Tatooine, based on his position on the planet.

Smart, boy, Jaro thought. He was still going to lecture Obi-Wan, but he appreciated that his padawan wasn’t taking any unnecessary risks. Evie didn’t come down, so that was a little confusing until the head of a droid he’d never seen before peeked down at him briefly before dropping his still fully stocked utility belt and his lightsaber. He caught both as he lurched to his feet. He caught Evie as she dropped, and the other droid pulled the grate shut.

“I made a friend,” Evie reported. “I took off his restraining bolt. WE-X9 is going to unlock doors. I promised him that we’d take him with us.”

Jaro sighed as he put on his belt. “Get this collar off of me, Evie.”

She popped up to his shoulder and he ignored the slight stings of current hitting his skin as she worked. It fell away quickly, and he caught it to keep it from hitting the floor. He put it down then slipped Evie through the bars to Shmi.

“She’s chipped. You need to neutralize her chip before we leave these cells.”

“We figured one or both of you would be chipped,” Evie said and landed on the hand Shmi offered. “The scan didn’t show she was pregnant. Can you believe these idiots don’t have any sort of surveillance in these cells? They don’t have exterior cameras, either. They weren’t hard to find since their stupidity was practically visible from orbit. We’ve got this whole place wired to blow.”

“What are we going to do with a probe droid?” Jaro questioned.

“I figured Masana could use him,” Evie said. “He’s kind of evil, hates slavers, and wants revenge. I bet she’ll enjoy that.”

She wasn’t wrong. “Shmi, this is EV-QB1. She prefers to be called Evie.”

Shmi winced as Evie slid a small needle probe into her neck. “It’s nice to meet you, Evie.”

“My apologies for the pain,” Evie said as she worked. “I don’t have the cargo space for chemicals.”

“Better than the alternative,” Shmi retorted and Jaro nodded his agreement.

“Certainly,” Jaro said as Evie finished up her task, flew through the bars, and landed in his hand. She folded herself up into a small disc, and he tucked her away in a robe pocket. “Turn your head, Shmi, I’m going to use my lightsaber to destroy this door. It might damage your eyes if you watch.”

He waited until she’d done as instructed and activated his lightsaber. The weapon made quick work of the electrified bars, and the door fell away with a thud. Then he did the same for her door.

“Okay, stay behind me,” Jaro ordered and offered her his hand.

She hurried to him, took his hand, and tucked in close as they headed for the door. “You are huge.”

“Average for my species,” Jaro assured. “And a full two inches shorter than I expected to be based on health projections in my youth. My partner believes it to be Force-related as Force users tend to be slightly smaller than average for their species across the board. The very powerful of us are sometimes quite small.”

He released her hand when a door swung open, and he threw the two pirates heading their way back the way they came with the Force. Then he activated his commlink.

“Are you tracking me?”

“Yes, sir,” Obi-Wan said crisply.

“Activate any exterior explosives that are far enough away to avoid damaging this building,” Jaro ordered, and immediately bombs started going off. “Have Twobit meet me as soon as he can. Are there any other occupied slave cells in this facility?”

“No, the only life signs besides your own and the other in the cells with is the pirates who are all running…away from the bombs and probably you,” Obi-Wan said. “I’ve identified them all through facial recognition, and I’m preparing bounty records.”

“Submit those to the local office now, and the system will tell every bounty hunter on this planet exactly where they are,” Jaro ordered.

“Yes, sir.”

“Efficient,” Shmi said breathlessly.

“He’s a padawan,” Jaro said in return. “They are trained from infancy to be in control of their circumstances as much as possible at all times.”

“Sounds exhausting.”

“It creates safety,” Jaro corrected. “And I’ve enjoyed that comfort my entire life.”

The main doors of the building were open when they left the hall, and Twobit was standing in the entryway.

“Hey, Old Man,” Jaro said and motioned to Shmi. “Evacuate her immediately and send in the twins. I want all the data these idiots left behind.”

Twobit unceremoniously picked Shmi Skywalker and left with her. “Twins! Jaro needs you!”

Jaro just smiled when the pit droids trotted in and shut the door. “Have fun?”

“Obi-Wan let us blow up everything,” Clank declared.

“Well, not everything,” Obi-Wan corrected over the commlink.

“Most of everything,” Tink exclaimed proudly.

* * * *

Obi-Wan didn’t get an introduction to the woman as Twobit carried her straight to the medbay once he’d jumped onto the ramp. Since Master Tapal hadn’t given them permission to land, they’d hovered above the building and Twobit had used that to enter the ship. Now, they were hovering fifty feet over the building, waiting for his master. Obi-Wan watched the twins come back on board via their own grappling system and began unpacking their backpacks.

The ship shifted just slightly as his master followed and closed the ramp shortly after a drone flew in behind him. He checked his chronometer. The whole operation had taken just over an hour, but it had felt like it lasted days.

“Get us into an orbital slot, Ace!” Master Tapal shouted. “It’s turning into a brawl down there. Apparently, every bounty hunter on the planet has been looking for an excuse to hit these guys. Clank, show WE-X9 where he can set up. He hasn’t had HoloNet access in five years, apparently. See that he’s updated, and there are no spy protocols in place without his knowledge. He’ll be sorted for Masana’s mission unless they don’t get along.”

“I’ve been assured that Masana Tide is extraordinary,” WE-X9 announced. “I shall be pleased to help her destroy lives in the most legal fashion possible.”

He followed his master onto the bridge and resisted the urge to just launch himself at the Lasat. Obi-Wan was trying really hard not to act like a complete baby about the whole thing, but it was the first time he’d been separated from his master for more than a few hours since he’d begun his apprenticeship.

“Twobit?”

“I’ve rendered her unconscious so I can remove the chip,” Twobit reported. “Scans reveal her to be in her seventh month of pregnancy. Mild nutrition issues. We’ll work on a nutrition supplement after the surgery which will be simple. I’ll need the door shut in order to create a sanitation field.”

Master Tapal nodded and closed the door on the medbay. He put a hand on Obi-Wan’s shoulder and guided him gently away from the area. In the middle of the bridge, he knelt.

“You owe me an explanation, Obi-Wan.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “I did as instructed, I swear.”

“And yet, here you are,” Master Tapal said gently. “You came for me by yourself—a risk I’d have never wished for you to take.”

“I couldn’t leave you in the hands of the worst slave syndicate in the whole Outer Rim,” Obi-Wan whispered. “I contacted the High Council, per procedure, but there wasn’t a response. I expected it to be near immediate since I used the priority protocol. But nothing came. I waited for a half hour then I sent an urgent comm to Master Koth.” He took a deep breath. “Then another directly to Master Yaddle.”

“And no one responded?” Master Tapal asked.

Obi-Wan shook his head. “Not even after two days. So, I put the Guardian on lockdown and hit a major hyperspace lane to hide. We evaluated all the data we had, and I asked the Force for help.”

His master’s gaze narrowed. “Obi-Wan.”

“I was on my own, and I had to make the best possible decisions for myself and you,” Obi-Wan said. “So, I communed with the Force and confirmed that the Sennex Pirates are literally the dumbest slavers in the entire Outer Rim.”

His master laughed sharply. “Corrupt and relatively successful doesn’t equal smart when it comes to slavers. It’s far too easy to make money in the trade, as disgusting as it is.”

“I came to Tatooine, and we made a plan to extract you,” Obi-Wan said. “I didn’t risk contacting anyone else because I’m not certain where the communication problem is exactly, and further exposure seemed too dangerous while it was just me and the droids.” He bit down on his bottom lip. “Did I make the wrong decision?”

“No,” Master Tapal said carefully. “Keeping yourself safe is paramount, Obi-Wan. And I’m grateful that you came for me.” He cleared his throat. “Were you hurt when you escaped the ambush on Kessel?”

“Yes.” Obi-Wan took a deep breath. “One of the pirates caught up with me, and it was a rough encounter. He tackled me and dragged me down. I had to kill him to escape, and a couple of my ribs were broken. Twobit took care of me once I got back on board.”

“Padawan,” Master Tapal said hoarsely and pulled Obi-Wan into a hug.

Obi-Wan clung because he’d been worried sick, and he knew that the pirates had probably tortured his master. He doubted that information would be shared with him. His breath hitched, and he took a deep breath to calm down. He stepped back and squared his shoulders.

“I’m okay.”

“We’ll spend some time discussing this later,” Master Tapal said quietly. “Please let me know if you start to struggle with what has happened. Emotions are valid, remember? It’s how we process them that matters the most as we grow and adapt to the circumstances around us.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “What do we do now?”

“Now, I figure out why the High Council didn’t contact you,” Master Tapal said. “Through my bonds with Yaddle and Eeth, I know they are all very concerned about my circumstances. I can’t see how they would’ve actively ignored you, Obi-Wan.”

“It doesn’t make sense,” Obi-Wan said. “But I thought I’d already taken all the risks I could with communications.”

“It was good to be careful,” Master Tapal said. “I’m proud of your quick thinking and decisive action. We’ll go over your plan later, and I’ll nitpick it for mistakes.”

Obi-Wan nodded and blinked back tears. “That sounds good.”

Master Tapal stood. “Enid, end silent operations and check the comm relay. Eeth should be on his way to us as we speak.”

“What about the woman?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“Her name is Shmi Skywalker.”

Obi-Wan felt a chill slide down his spine, and he shuddered. “What?”

His master’s hand settled heavily on his shoulder. “Obi-Wan?”

“Her baby is a boy,” Obi-Wan said and wet his lips. “She’s going to name him Anakin.”

“Yes, she said as much. How do you know that?” Master Tapal asked.

“Mustafar,” Obi-Wan whispered, and his master’s eyes widened in shock. “In another life, Anakin Skywalker was the death of me. He was the death of the Jedi Order and the Republic. I can’t explain it better than that.”

“Do you see a way to circumvent it?” Master Tapal questioned.

“He needs to go unnoticed,” Obi-Wan said quietly. “Some might say he’s the Chosen One, but his fall does nothing to restore the balance. It is a waste of a life in every single way. The potential for harm is too great.”

Master Tapal nodded. “I plan to make sure she goes to Alderaan for resettlement.”

“That’s a good choice,” Obi-Wan said quietly. “They aren’t required to test their children for Force-sensitivity.”

“You think he shouldn’t ever be trained at all?” Master Tapal questioned.

“I’d never question the will of the Force,” Obi-Wan said. “So, I wouldn’t want to interfere with that, but he suffered so much, and the dark side consumed him. I can guard myself against such a close relationship with him in the future. And I certainly wouldn’t ever train him.”

“Anakin was his padawan,” Master Tapal said. “The other version of you.”

“Yes,” Obi-Wan admitted. “He loved him, had so much faith in him, and the betrayal was heartbreaking.” He made a face. “Of course, that version of me was also trained by Qui-Gon Jinn.”

“You are going to give me nightmares,” Master Tapal said tartly, and Obi-Wan grinned.

“Obi-Wan, you have ten priority messages from the Jedi Temple on Coruscant,” Enid interjected. “And I’ve confirmed that Eeth is on his way to Tatooine on Masana Tide’s ship. He isn’t the only one, either. As of the last message, they all believe that Jaro is still a hostage of some sort, and they have a strike team being assembled if it’s needed.”

Obi-Wan cleared his throat. “Can we just say you rescued yourself, Master? I don’t want to be lectured by everyone.”

“Relax, Padawan, I’m the only one who gets to lecture you about this,” Master Tapal said. “So, who else is coming?”

“Yaddle, Quinlan Vos, and Ioan Tholme,” Enid answered. “Or at least that was the list I was given in the message addressed to me.”

“That’s gonna be really stressful,” Obi-Wan muttered, and Master Tapal hummed his agreement.

 

Chapter 3

His request for a holocall was immediately accepted. Jaro was relieved when his partner appeared in a hologram.

“How hurt are you?” Eeth demanded.

“I’m fine,” Jaro assured and got a weird look for his trouble. “It wasn’t a pleasant experience. They put a collar on me but set it for a Wookiee.”

“Dumb bastards,” Eeth said. “And Obi-Wan? He reported an injury in the first communication he sent to the temple. We’ve confirmed that the man who tried to capture him is dead. Local authorities supplied video footage of the assault and attempted kidnapping.”

“Do they want to question him?” Jaro asked.

“No, it’s been ruled a self-defense killing. In fact, since the individual was wanted dead or alive—a bounty has been forwarded to Obi-Wan’s credit account.”

Jaro sighed. “We make it a point to refuse such payments, Eeth.”

“Yes, well, consider it reparations, considering the man was three of Obi-Wan and nearly killed him,” Eeth responded. “I don’t know what he told you about the incident, but it was extremely violent, Jaro. I’ll forward you the footage.”

“Okay, I’ll review it. How far out are you?”

“About six hours,” Eeth said. “We’re still trying to figure out who is responsible for this. All of the comms from the Outer Rim going to the temple were stalled at the communication center in orbit above Coruscant. Someone sliced into a terminal, but the security situation on the platform is very poor. There will be an investigation, of course, but we can expect that to take months or even years.”

“The intel I received from the committee was a setup,” Jaro said. “And that’s going to require a very careful investigation as well.”

Eeth started to say something but shifted around and sighed as he was prodded right out of the holocapture, only to be replaced by Yaddle.

“Jaro Lodow Tapal,” Yaddle said evenly and pointed a finger at him.

Jaro huffed a little because he hadn’t gotten his full legal name thrown at him since he’d been Obi-Wan’s age. “I’m fine, Yaddle. I promise.”

“Based on the bounty riot currently taking place on Tatooine, instigated by your padawan, I did assume that you’d been recovered and he was avenging himself properly.”

“A proper Jedi does not seek revenge,” Obi-Wan said as he entered the area from the bridge and sat down on the bench. “But there is nothing wrong with delivering an appropriate amount of justice to those who deserve it.”

“Savvy as always, Obi-Wan,” Yaddle said dryly. “We will speak more in person, Jaro. Why haven’t you had the burns on your neck treated?”

“I liberated a slave in my escape, and Twobit is removing an explosive chip from her body,” Jaro explained. “I’ll seek treatment once he’s finished with her. It doesn’t hurt.”

“It had to hurt a lot when it happened,” Obi-Wan muttered.

“Not as much as I pretended it did,” Jaro assured and his padawan scowled at him in pretty much the exact same manner that his master did via holo. “I’ve had a stressful few days and don’t need this sort of judgment from either of you.”

Yaddle frowned at him, shook her head, and disappeared from the holo. Eeth took her place.

“Do we need to get anything for you?” Eeth questioned.

“No, we’re fully supplied,” Jaro said. “And I was able to retrieve all of my equipment. Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not okay, Jaro,” Eeth said roughly. “We received a report from Kessel regarding Obi-Wan’s fight with a Sennex Pirate the day after it happened. Tholme went there, but there was no sign of him or the Guardian when he got there. We didn’t find the stalled comms until seventeen hours ago when Mace realized that none of the comms leaving the temple were actually leaving Coruscant itself.

“The slice on the comm station has been corrected, and the security review hasn’t revealed anything as far as we know. It’s the most overt act taken against us since the discovery.”

Jaro nodded. “We couldn’t expect to interfere with long-made plans forever without a response. A more thorough discussion can happen when you arrive. Considering what has happened, I expect I’ll be heading back to Coruscant as well.”

“Well, it’s been over a year since you were there,” Eeth said. “So, you’re about due, and Obi-Wan probably has some tests to take.”

Jaro nodded even as Obi-Wan made a face. “Tell Masana that Evie liberated a probe droid with a grudge against slavers for her.”

Eeth turned his head briefly and laughed. “I’m to tell you that getting her a used droid doesn’t earn you forgiveness for getting caught by nerf-fucking morons.”

“It’s a modified Viper.”

Eeth made a face and sighed. “She’s been pacified. Who knew she could be bought for 12,000 credits?”

“Someone who also knows that a modified Viper probe droid normally comes with its own blaster,” Jaro said wryly, and his partner laughed.

* * * *

Jaro turned off the holoprojector above his private terminal with a trembling hand. He’d watched the footage of his padawan on Kessel three times, and the violence of the encounter had left him bereft and furious with no outlet. He took a measured breath and pulled the Force close to him. It offered as much comfort as it could, and he slowly released the anger as it would not serve him in the hours or even days to come.

Obi-Wan was doing a very good job of pretending to be okay, but he knew that was a façade. His padawan had been violently assaulted by an adult Anzati, a telepathic humanoid species known to feed on midi-chlorians to increase their life span and allow them to regenerate. To be in the hands of such a monster was a chilling experience for any Force-positive individual, but most especially a Jedi. The third time he’d watched the footage, he’d purposefully focused on the Anzati’s facial tentacles to see how much contact they’d had with Obi-Wan.

The horrifying moment of watching those tentacles wrap around Obi-Wan’s neck was burned into his brain as a result. He’d stared at the image for far too long. It had also been the moment when his padawan had started to fight heavily with the Force. Obi-Wan had used a vibroblade to sever the man’s tentacles. The screams had been horrific, but the Force energy pouring out of the Anzati had been worse. The foul bastard had been several hundred years old, so it was clear he had fed a lot.

He knew he’d have to test Obi-Wan’s midi-chlorian level, and the thought of it was extremely upsetting. If the midi-chlorians that the Anzati had collected throughout his life had sought refuge in Obi-Wan, Jaro certainly couldn’t find fault with that as his padawan was very much attuned with the Force. At the moment, he would’ve felt like the most safety the microscopic creatures they called midi-chlorians would’ve known for potentially hundreds of years.

“Enid, tell me what you know about the Anzati that tried to kill Obi-Wan.”

“Elgor Vundi, age 759. He’s been wanted in connection with the Sennex Pirates for twenty-two years on six different Core worlds. A bounty of 300,000 credits was assigned to him—dead or alive—by the Galactic Senate five years ago due to crimes against sapient life. He was also believed to be connected to several high-profile assassinations, and I’ve downloaded those case files for your review. No recorded marriages, matings, or off-spring listed with the Republic.”

Jaro exhaled slowly and wondered what Obi-Wan would think about the credits he’d been awarded. It was an astounding amount of money, and he wasn’t entirely certain what Obi-Wan would do with such a windfall. He’d never accepted a bounty of any kind and gifts only rarely. In fact, he’d only ever accepted gifts when they helped his mission. But he wasn’t going to judge Obi-Wan for whatever he chose to do with the money. It was clear that Yaddle had approved the transfer of credits, and so did the rest of the Council based on what Eeth said.

“Did he truly break only a couple of ribs?” Jaro questioned.

“Obi-Wan barely made it back to the ship, Jaro. He collapsed on the ramp, and the twins pulled him on board. Ace immediately took off per evacuation protocol. Twobit treated him for a severe concussion, two broken ribs, and extensive bruising. Obi-Wan didn’t lie to you, however, as he didn’t question his treatment once he woke up. He immediately started working and didn’t stop unless we made him sleep or eat until you were recovered.”

“Did Twobit check his midi-chlorian level?”

“Yes, because Obi-Wan did tell him during treatment, when he woke up briefly, that he’d been attacked by an Anzati.”

“And the result?”

Enid said nothing.

“Enid?” Jaro prodded gently.

“29,015 from the original 13,400.”

Jaro lurched out of his seat with a shudder. Yoda and Yaddle both had the highest reported midi-chlorian count in the Order currently and neither were over 20,000. He didn’t know the exact number of either. His own was 17,073 and it had fluctuated over the years as he’d aged and communed with the Force.

“We’ll never be able to keep this a secret,” Jaro said hoarsely. “It’s obvious from the footage that the Force energy that Vundi had been harvesting for hundreds of years was released. And anyone with Force knowledge will see. The Sith will see it. He’ll assume the midi-chlorians went into Obi-Wan. Many will assume that and won’t even question their own assumptions.”

“We’ll protect him,” Enid said firmly. “We haven’t told him about the change, but he has to feel different. Right?”

“Right,” Jaro murmured. “When he communed with the Force did it appear to be different than what you’ve observed before?”

“He didn’t struggle at all, which seemed normal, but different because of his emotional state. Obi-Wan was clearly distressed that you were separated. Jaro, it was the first time that you’d been separated from him for more than a few hours since he became your apprentice.”

That felt like a mistake, but he’d rarely been apart from his previous padawans either until they were knighted. Both had lingered with him for nearly a year after knighting until they were gently prodded toward their own goals and projects. He knew what he inspired in his students, and he’d never considered it an issue.

“Is it a problem?”

“No,” Enid said. “Obi-Wan needs the security of knowing that you’ll always be exactly where he needs you to be. It’s even more important now, right? His potential power and abilities will be very attractive to the Sith. They’ve seen the footage, Jaro. It’s in the public domain at this point due to the notoriety of Elgor Vundi. You must keep him close and protect him from the dark side.”

Jaro nodded and left his quarters. He walked to the center of the training arena where Obi-Wan was seated, and the boy’s eyes flickered open the moment he sat down.

“You watched the fight, then,” Obi-Wan said quietly. “I tried really hard to escape him without killing him, but I was afraid he’d feed on me. I had to protect the Force within my body from being harvested. It was horrifying.”

“It was horrifying to watch as well,” Jaro admitted, and the boy nodded. “Obi-Wan, you know that you absorbed the Force energy that Vundi had collected, right? It was expelled from his body when his tentacles were cut, and it sank into yours. The recording isn’t good enough to provide that kind of detail, but it’s clear to me what happened.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “I didn’t ask Twobit what the new number is. I don’t think I want to know.”

Jaro took a deep breath. “It’s significant.”

“Is it unprecedented?” Obi-Wan questioned, clearly saddened by the thought.

“Yes, certainly,” Jaro said. “It’s at the level of prophetic.”

Obi-Wan’s gaze flicked upward briefly. They’d tucked Shmi Skywalker into a guest room, and she’d seemingly been thrilled by the privacy and the clothes they’d pulled from the stores.

“What?” Jaro questioned.

“It’s like the Force knew I would try to circumvent the prophecy of the Chosen One and has…adjusted to account for it. I must not ever be connected with the prophecy of the Chosen One, Master.” He focused on Jaro. “He can’t see me coming.”

“Us.”

Obi-Wan smiled. “Us.” He took a deep breath. “It’s a burden, of course, but it’s also the will of the Force, so I accept it. If it gives Anakin Skywalker a better destiny than he had before, then that’s even better.”

“Is it truly?” Jaro questioned.

“Yes, because his fall would destroy so much. Maybe we could prevent the fall in our reality, but is it worth the risk?” Obi-Wan questioned. “Is it not our duty to guard the lives of all those we can?”

“I believe so,” Jaro said. “My path as a Guardian has always been so clear.”

“I think my path as a Guardian has become more clear to me over the last few days,” Obi-Wan admitted. “I think, in the past, I was waffling between the path of a Sentinel and a Guardian, but now I’m certain that I’m a Guardian. I feel it deep down in my bones.”

Jaro cupped Obi-Wan’s face gently. “How does your head feel? You had a concussion.”

“Did I?” Obi-Wan questioned and frowned. “My apologies, I didn’t know that. I should’ve asked about my injuries. I just figured that Twobit would tell me if I had any lingering issues and moved on.”

“Obi-Wan, the encounter you had with Vundi was extremely violent,” Jaro said. “Are you blocking it out?” He let his hand drop as Obi-Wan frowned. “He was three times your size, and he broke your bones. You had extensive bruising.”

“I remember…him tackling me,” Obi-Wan said. “And I hit my head; it hurt a lot.” He rubbed his side. “And he punched me really hard because I was struggling. Then he did it again because I pulled his hair. Then his tentacles wrapped around my neck, and I realized what he was. I didn’t know, I don’t think, that he was an Anzati until that point. He had his tentacles wrapped around his head and tucked into his hood the one time I saw him with the other pirates.”

Jaro nodded.

“I didn’t have room to pull out my lightsaber,” Obi-Wan said. “So, I pulled my vibroblade from my boot and used it. His screaming was so scary that I lost track of time. I don’t know how much. I stabbed him in the chest with the blade, then did it again because he wouldn’t stop hitting me. Then I used the Force to throw him away from me. I crawled for a few feet then I got to my feet and ran.”

Jaro took a deep breath. “When you threw him, he hit the building nearest to you, and it broke most of the bones in his body. It also crushed his skull, which is what finally killed him. I doubt he would’ve survived long without his tentacles.” He paused. “And, of course, I’m sure Jaster will be thrilled that his gift proved to be so useful to you.”

Obi-Wan sighed. “I told him three different times in that conversation that I didn’t think I needed a vibroblade. He’s going to be unsufferable.”

“I believe he will be relieved that you kept his gift and used it to save your life,” Jaro said. “But also smug about it.” He stared at Obi-Wan for a long moment, then spoke softly, “I need you to say it, Obi-Wan.”

Obi-Wan exhaled slowly and closed his eyes briefly before focusing entirely on Jaro. “I killed Elgor Vundi.”

“Do you feel guilty?”

“No,” Obi-Wan murmured. “It was him or me, and it’s my duty to the Force to live. I’m sad, though. Not for him, but for myself, which feels selfish.”

“It’s not selfish to grieve the changes that have been wrought in you by the actions of another,” Jaro said gently. “Experience brings change, but it’s not always a welcome change. Adaption and growth are part of life but even then, it’s natural to have feelings both positive and negative regarding those changes.”

He watched his padawan absorb that and nod slowly.

“You have questions,” Jaro surmised.

“I always have questions,” Obi-Wan said and smiled when Jaro sighed. “How did it feel when you killed for the first time?”

“Horrible,” Jaro admitted. “It was also in self-defense, but for weeks afterward, I kept trying to figure out how the situation could’ve gone differently. I fixated on the mistakes that I made that led me to that moment until Yaddle made me come to terms with the fact that I can’t exert that kind of control over my past, present, or future.”

“It hurts.”

“Yes, of course, it does,” Jaro said.

“But he was a very bad person,” Obi-Wan said. “A slaver and a murderer. Why does it hurt that I killed him?”

“Because you’re facing the consequences of your actions,” Jaro said. “And those can either be positive or negative. Sometimes, they’re even both. Can you tell me what those consequences are?”

“I survived, which is a positive consequence,” Obi-Wan said. “I was made to kill another person, and that’s a negative. While it was righteous, I don’t believe it was justice.”

“Why?” Jaro questioned.

“Because slavers take away the free will of others, and they should be made to suffer the same fate. They should go to prison for the rest of their lives for such a crime. Death is too quick.” He paused. “Is it wrong to think that?”

“If it is, we’re wrong together,” Jaro said, and Obi-Wan laughed. “The tenets of the Jedi Order don’t focus on external issues such as this at any rate.”

“Is it because we’re supposed to be above such issues? It’s like we’re expected to be immune to the events that happen around us, no matter how horrible they might be,” Obi-Wan admitted. “And I don’t know how to reconcile that with the Order’s relationship with the Republic. How can we be peacekeepers if we don’t acknowledge how external forces impact us?”

“Some say it creates neutrality.”

“Well, that’s silly,” Obi-Wan muttered. “The Jedi Order is not a neutral entity. How can we possibly be neutral when we are so entrenched in the Galactic Republic?”

“How indeed,” Jaro said and leaned back on his hands. “What will you do with the money?”

“Oh, I’ve already thrown that whole situation at Bant,” Obi-Wan said huffily. “It’s so rude, Master. I didn’t ask for all of that money, and now I’m stuck with it. But that’s fine. Bant already has some ideas. Unfortunately, my first inclination was toward donating to a charity. But I had Enid start investigating charities a couple of hours ago and she’s found massive fraud in six different ones. So, we’re reporting those to the Judicial Department. Now, I don’t want to trust any of them with that kind of money. Regardless, Bant’s working on it, and Garen is helping, too.”

“And Quinlan?” Jaro questioned.

“Oh, he’s so stressed out about the whole thing with Vundi that we just decided to leave the credit discussion for later,” Obi-Wan said. “I feel guilty about all of it. They were all really worried about me since the news reports from Kessel had no information about my survival, but I did try to contact the temple. It’s frustrating.”

“To be cared for?”

“No, well.” Obi-Wan made a face. “Actually, yes, that part can be frustrating at times, if I’m honest. There is a certain level of responsibility in having people who care about you, and that can be stressful. But the benefits outweigh the emotional costs on that front. But l meant that it’s frustrating that I tried to do exactly what I should’ve done, and someone interfered with that on purpose. We can assume it was the Sith, and they were trying to isolate us to the point where it got us killed, but what if it wasn’t?”

“It would be disconcerting to realize we’ve made a powerful enemy that’s not the Sith,” Jaro admitted. “But there have been times in the past when I’ve made very wealthy people furious with my actions, and they’ve tried to act out. None have been so successful as this.”

“Does Wallanooga’s influence reach that far?” Obi-Wan questioned. “You’ve been chipping away at his business for a while.”

“Jabba the Hutt would be more likely to have that kind of reach into the Core,” Jaro said thoughtfully. “And he and Wallanooga are at odds far too often to work together.”

“Jabba isn’t on our radar currently.”

“He’s Masana’s hard target on the Hutt front, as you know, and she’s invested a lot of time in undermining him. He knows very well that she’s gunning for him and seems to be enjoying the whole thing. Jabba thinks he’s invincible.”

Obi-Wan’s gaze narrowed. “That’ll be the death of him.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.” Obi-Wan leaned back on his own hands and took a deep breath. “Some things are a matter of fate.”

“Do you see a difference between destiny and fate?” Jaro questioned curiously.

“Most don’t,” Obi-Wan said, and Jaro nodded. “But I see destiny as a sort of calling that can be embraced. Whereas fate is merely an event or moment we must meet in one way or another during the course of our lifetime. Maybe we are fated to meet a certain person, or we’ll die at a certain place and time.”

“Can fate be circumvented?”

“I think so, but I also think such a thing comes with a profound cost,” Obi-Wan said. “I think…somehow my fate was changed.”

Jaro nodded because he agreed. “Did you do it?”

“The Force did it,” Obi-Wan said. “I don’t know why, but I feel like I agreed with whatever she wanted to do. It feels like a burden but also like a circumstance that I accepted. I don’t remember it, though. Maybe that’s for the best.”

“We’ve rarely discussed the communion with the Force that you believe you experienced while you were asleep before you were my apprentice,” Jaro said. “Do you want to discuss it now?”

“I don’t remember much about that either,” Obi-Wan confessed. “I can’t even be certain it was a genuine communion, but that’s how I felt when I woke. But also, I felt safe and cared for in a very profound way. Bant asked me if it was like having a mother, but none of us really know what that would be like.”

“Perhaps the better question would be—did you feel nurtured?”

“I….” Obi-Wan paused, then slowly nodded. “Yes, that’s a good way to describe it. Ultimately, I felt safe and very comfortable when I first woke up. I’ve always, as long as I can remember, trusted the Force. But now it’s different. It’s faith, and it feels different from trust.”

“Genuine trust must be earned,” Jaro said. “But faith is freely given, Obi-Wan. It’s not something that requires evidence but merely a true belief in a concept that one cannot easily be dissuaded from. Could your faith in the Force be shaken?”

“No.”

The very firm response was an immense relief.

“How do you feel about the increase in your power?”

“I became a sanctuary of sorts,” Obi-Wan said. “I don’t resent that part. I realize that the midi-chlorians are sentient but not sapient. They were merely seeking to be safe after being trapped in Vundi for so many years. I must have felt like an oasis in the deepest of deserts.”

“Yes, exactly,” Jaro agreed. “You understand their investment in your body is permanent? They can’t be released or removed since they sought you out. They’re in your cells just the same as the ones you were born with.”

“I don’t feel like I gave permission at the moment,” Obi-Wan said. “But as I already said, I can’t blame them for what has happened. And I guess I knew immediately that it was permanent. I think many people would be excited to get such a boost in power, but those people will never understand that it’s not just power I received.”

“What do you mean?”

“The midi-chlorians are needy,” Obi-Wan said. “Obviously, I can’t feel them physically or even differentiate between what I was born with and what I absorbed, but there is this eagerness in my body now. They want to be helpful and seem to be really pleased to be with me.”

“Well, of course they are,” Jaro agreed. “Vundi was a disgusting creature—full to the brim with greed and murderous aggression. Your movement in the Force is youthful, untainted by criminality, and quite sweet.”

Obi-Wan made a face only a teenager could. “Sweet?”

Jaro laughed and stood. “Very sweet.”

* * * *

Obi-Wan had endured a narrow-eyed inspection from his grandmaster before Master Yaddle had sent him off to pat Quinlan’s feelings. He knew he hadn’t gotten out of a conversation with practically every single adult who’d come to Tatooine. Most of his interactions with Quin over the past year had been through holo so it was a little weird when his friend glomped onto him as soon as they were alone.

He returned the hug quickly so as to not hurt his friend’s feelings, but his initial reaction hadn’t gone unnoticed.

“Sorry,” Quinlan murmured and stepped back. “I was worried. The thing with Vundi was awful to watch. Are you still injured?”

“No, I had treatment pretty much immediately and have no lingering issues,” Obi-Wan said quickly. “And the hug was fine—just kind of weird because I haven’t had a lot of contact with anyone outside of Master Tapal since we last left Coruscant.” He caught Quinlan’s hand quickly and tugged. “Come back and try that again.”

His friend laughed and pulled him into another hug. Obi-Wan let himself relax into the hug, and Quinlan relaxed in response. Finally, he stepped back, and Quin cupped his head with one hand and stared at his face for a long moment.

“What?”

“Just been a while since I’ve seen this face of yours for real,” Quinlan murmured as he let his hand drop. “Holocalls are better than nothing, but nowhere near the same thing. I confirmed my path.”

Obi-Wan smiled. “Really? What did you decide?”

“Sentinel,” Quinlan said. “I think Master Tholme was surprised. Most Shadows are Sentinels, but there is room within the role of a Guardian for such work, as you know, even if it’s not traditional. I think he thought I’d pick Guardian because he assumes that you have.”

“He’s assumed right,” Obi-Wan responded, and Quinlan smiled. “But Sentinel fits you perfectly. I’m sorry you worried about what happened with Vundi. It was a lot, but I’m okay.”

“None of us were okay after watching it,” Quinlan confessed. “Master Tholme postponed our assignment, and we went to Kessel to search for you. We missed the Guardian’s departure by twelve hours, apparently. We searched for you in the comm system and contacted the temple, and there was nothing.”

“I went silent for security reasons,” Obi-Wan explained.

“Yeah, we figured that out pretty quickly,” Quinlan said. “I told Master Tholme that you were smart but also obedient, so I knew that you’d followed Master Tapal’s orders. That meant that there was no way you hadn’t tried to contact the temple on Coruscant if the two of you were separated. So, either you and he were together despite evidence to the contrary, or you’d tried to contact the Council. Eventually, we discovered the comms were stalled in the relay due to a slice.”

“How are you now?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“Better for having seen you,” Quinlan admitted. “Despite the fact that you were able to leave the scene on your own two feet, the fight looked brutal. Plus, it’s all over the HoloNet so everyone at the temple has seen it at this point. Everyone kept asking me about you and I didn’t have a real answer. I was very relieved when Master Tide loaded up her ship and told us to get our butts on board for a rescue mission.” He paused. “Though her language was much more explicit.”

“The Outer Rim has totally corrupted her,” Obi-Wan said, and Quinlan laughed. He squeezed his friend’s hand. “I swear I’m okay.”

Quinlan pulled him close again and just held him. “He was going to kill you. When I realized he was an Anzati, it actually hurt. If we didn’t have a Force bond, I’d have probably lost my mind.”

“Are you still having attachment issues?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“My attachment issues have their own issues,” Quinlan muttered, and Obi-Wan laughed. He turned his head then and brushed his mouth gently against Obi-Wan’s.

It was a soft, sweet kiss and only the third they’d ever had together. Neither felt rushed to move quickly when it came to such things. Perhaps it was how they were raised, or maybe it was a symptom of their profound friendship and how protective they both were of it. He moved closer, seeking the comfort his friend offered so easily, and Quinlan responded by deepening the kiss.

Quinlan pulled away just a little and let his forehead rest on Obi-Wan’s. “Okay?”

“Yeah, perfect.” He bit down on his bottom lip briefly and took a deep breath. “Did you see Bant before you left?”

“She cried all over me three times before I left,” Quinlan said. “You’ve sent her a comm, right?”

“Yeah, several. She’s helping me figure out what to do with the bounty that got deposited into my account without my permission. As a heads-up, we now have more than enough money for Garen’s coup plan.”

Quinlan groaned and dropped down on the bed. “Like I’d give those people the time of day.”

“Did something happen?”

“No, but my day of regency came and went without even a token request from anyone. My aunt’s a tyrant, so you’d think that there is at least some kind of resistant movement on the planet, and I’m the rightful heir to the throne.”

Obi-Wan sat down beside him. “Maybe they don’t know that you’d help them.”

“I don’t know that I would,” he confessed. “I want to be a Jedi and nothing about the life of a king fits with that. I’m happy where I am, and I don’t have to worry about having to fight every single day to keep a throne I don’t even want.” He sucked in a breath. “I never did want it.”

“Okay, so we’ll save the coup plan for a different planet,” Obi-Wan said with a shrug, and Quinlan laughed. “Regardless, I have a stupid amount of money that I can’t keep. It makes me sick to think about keeping it. I understand exactly why Master Tapal never accepts bounties. I can’t…be paid for killing someone, Quin.”

“No, of course not,” Quinlan said. “I don’t know who thought that was a good idea, at any rate. There’s nothing wrong with being a bounty hunter, but the Jedi are not part of the bounty system in that way for a reason.”

Obi-Wan turned on his side. “My midi-chlorian count increased.”

Quinlan stared for a moment, eyes dark and serious. “You must have been such a relief for them when they were finally released from that awful bastard. Of course, they stayed with you.”

“Many will speculate about it going forward, and I can’t hide it.”

“No, even if you deny it—there will always be questions,” Quinlan said. “Do you know the number?”

“No, but Master Tapal does. He said it was unprecedented. I don’t think I want to know, Quin.”

“So more powerful than Yoda and Yaddle,” Quinlan said. “It’s a lot. But if anyone can be trusted with such power—it’s you.”

“Thanks,” Obi-Wan said quietly. “I worry about it, though.”

“Well, of course, you do. Anyone decent would worry because such power has the potential to be corruptive,” Quinlan said. “But you have such a pure heart, Obi. I have faith in you. Should I ever need a star to guide me, I know it will be you.”

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. “I’ve already accepted your attachment, you know. You don’t have to talk sweet to me.”

His friend grinned. “I mean it, though.”

Obi-Wan leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Quinlan’s mouth before leaving the bed. “We should go back out. I’d rather not get silent judgment from Master Yaddle.”

“She’s professional at that,” Quinlan said. “Even Master Yoda runs from her these days.”

“Any particular reason why?”

“Oh, well.” Quinlan sighed. “I’m not sure I’m supposed to share that with you.”

“It’s about Master Jinn then,” Obi-Wan said with a nod and left his room even as Quinlan groaned and flopped back on the bed.

Master Tide was beside the holotable, so he stopped to stand with her. A large hand settled on his shoulder briefly, gave him a gentle squeeze, and lifted away.

“I’m okay.”

She nodded. “You did very well, Obi-Wan. I’ve seen adult Jedi falter and die in the hands of an Anzati due to fear.”

“I got mad,” Obi-Wan confessed, and she grunted her agreement. “An adult that would physically abuse a child is an obscenity. Even beyond the fact that his species feeds on midi-chlorians, he was a disgusting person.”

“I agree,” Master Tide said. “I’d be hunting for him if he’d survived his encounter with you. Though, I would not be the only one. You might take a moment to review the Senate meeting that took place just an hour ago. The Mand’alor had Duke Kryze deliver a scathing message to the Senate concerning the flimsy laws regarding the mistreatment of children within the Republic.

“Many were quite upset to discover that Vundi wouldn’t have faced a felony charge for physical assault on a minor on Kessel or by the Republic’s Judicial Department either. The only felony would’ve been his intention to kidnap you.”

“Oh, I don’t think he intended on kidnapping me,” Obi-Wan said, and she stopped moving to focus on him. “He was going to kill me. He wanted to feed on me, Master Tide, and I know I wouldn’t have survived that if I hadn’t stopped him.”

 

Chapter 4

Obi-Wan accepted the tea he was given and sipped while Master Yaddle stared at him. They were on their way back to Coruscant with Master Yaddle, Master Koth, Master Tholme, and Quinlan. Master Tide had taken Shmi Skywalker with her with the intent to deliver her personally to Alderaan. Obi-Wan had avoided any private interaction with the woman as he didn’t want to interfere further with Anakin’s future. What would happen would happen.

Though, he knew that Master Tapal had told her that her child would be Force-sensitive and that she had every right to keep him with her instead of giving him to the Jedi Order due to Alderaan’s status in the Republic. She said she would keep her child close if she had any choice at all, and it was safe to do so. That knowledge had relieved something in Obi-Wan that he couldn’t really articulate. It seemed like Anakin staying with his mother was the best possible outcome as long as they were both free from slavery.

“Are you well?” Master Yaddle questioned.

“Yes, Grandmaster,” Obi-Wan murmured and stared at his tea. “Still sad, but it’s getting better. I’ll meditate again tonight before going to sleep. I don’t regret any of my choices.”

She nodded and shared a glance with Master Tapal. “We need to talk about your midi-chlorian count.”

Obi-Wan grimaced and looked out the window briefly before turning away from it entirely. The blur of travel in hyperspace had never appealed to him visually. Master Tapal’s hand cupped his shoulder briefly, and he took a deep breath.

“It’s not our intention to upset you, Padawan,” Master Tapal said. “But we must discuss the ramifications of your killing Elgor Vundi.”

“I know,” Obi-Wan said and put the tea down on the low table since he didn’t think he’d be able to drink much more of it.

The observation area of the ship was the place where he spent the least amount of time, as it didn’t feel like a workspace, and he preferred to work even in his downtime. Obi-Wan pulled his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms around his legs.

“Okay, so how high?”

“29,015,” Master Tapal said.

“That’s….” Obi-Wan swallowed hard as nausea rose in his throat. “How is that even possible?”

“Vundi was very old, and he’d fed on others for a very long time as a result,” Master Yaddle said. “He hoarded power that he could not use in any true fashion, so it sat in his body—a hostage to his avarice. I wish to speak to you about this because there are those who might covet you now for an altogether different reason than anything you might have endured before.”

“To corrupt me?”

“Yes, but also, there are methods within the dark side that would allow a Sith to harvest your power, Obi-Wan. It is a disgusting thing to do, but the Sith have no morals.”

“Are there ways to fortify myself against such a thing?” Obi-Wan questioned.

“We are not certain,” Master Yaddle admitted. “Master Nu will be researching it. But you mustn’t ever submit to the dark side, Obi-Wan. Ever.”

He nodded and twisted his teacup around. “I’ve always known that. It’s why the Force came to me that night—perhaps it wasn’t the only reason, but it was part of it. I don’t know how much protection that event has granted me from the Sith. Perhaps none, but I’ve felt watched over by the Force since that night. I woke with a clarity that I’d been missing—my thoughts were clear, and my goals felt more solid.”

“Do you foresee a circumstance where you would ignore the guidance of the Force?” Master Tapal questioned.

“Not exactly,” Obi-Wan said. “I do know that my affinity with the Unifying Force means that I must always seek to see the difference between a prophetic possibility and a guiding hand. It’s folly to take a vision at face value, and I realized that when I was very young—even when Master Yoda was busy telling me to ignore them completely.

“It was really upsetting to be told repeatedly to live in the moment as if I had any control over the Force’s decision to give me visions. Yes, I can push them away temporarily, but eventually, I would get bombarded. I don’t think such gifts fade for a Jedi—they merely become part of the background of their lives, and it must be very immensely traumatic.”

“I’ve seen it,” Master Yaddle said quietly. “And the damage done to some over such a policy is unforgivable. Yoda is meditating on his actions in private.”

“And Master Jinn?” Obi-Wan questioned, and Yaddle paused briefly before taking a sip of tea. “We are returning to Coruscant. Quinlan might be currently hesitant to discuss it, but it won’t be hard to find someone to tell me the story—rumors and half-truths included.”

“Certainly.” Yaddle sighed. “First, I wish to make it clear that nothing you’re about to hear is in any single way your fault.”

Obi-Wan made a face. “Has someone said it was my fault?”

“There was some speculation,” Yaddle allowed. “But I’ve quashed that firmly.”

“Okay,” Obi-Wan said.

“As you know, Qui-Gon apprenticed Bruck Chun.”

“Yes,” Obi-Wan murmured. “It seemed like they might be able to find their way together if they got over themselves.”

“Once a year had passed in their apprenticeship, Yoda encouraged Qui-Gon to return to field operations as a Consular as he felt that Padawan Chun needed experience outside of the temple. Qui-Gon protested as he’d requested and received three years of relief to attend to his own relationship with the Force. He also did not believe that Padawan Chun was prepared for work in the field.” She sighed. “He was right.”

Obi-Wan frowned. “Are they dead?”

“No, but Qui-Gon suffered immense physical and Force wounds in the incident. Qui-Gon was lured to Telos IV by his former apprentice Xanatos—there was an altercation between them. Xanatos was killed in the fight, and his followers were incensed. Qui-Gon barely escaped with his life and was able to return to the temple on his own despite the loss of his right leg.

“No one can ever say that Qui-Gon Jinn is not strong,” she said quietly. “Bruck Chun abandoned his master in the field and sought refuge in his family’s home. He did not contact the temple to tell us that his master had been grievously injured. His father, admitting to be ashamed of Bruck’s cowardice, sent the boy’s lightsaber back to the temple and declared his son was not fit to become a Jedi Knight.”

Obi-Wan considered that and found the circumstances difficult to accept. “That’s political.”

“Very,” Master Tapal agreed. “He avoided his son being ejected from the Jedi Order by removing him. It’s savvy but also must have demoralized the boy for his own father to call him a coward.”

“It is for the best,” Master Yaddle said. “Especially in the wake of Obi-Wan’s most recent actions.”

“I don’t understand,” Obi-Wan said.

“Bruck Chun left his master for dead in terrible but manageable circumstances. All he had to do was contact the temple or his father for help. Instead, he ran, hid in his father’s home and protected only himself. Whereas you, Obi-Wan, were faced with your master being kidnapped by the most vicious slavers in the Outer Rim. And your response was to launch a rescue operation all on your own when you were isolated by what will be called a communication glitch. And that was after you survived a very public attempt on your life.” Master Yaddle stared at him. “Yet again, Obi-Wan, you’ve proven that you are everything that Bruck Chun is not.”

Obi-Wan flushed. “I wouldn’t have left Master Jinn for dead, either.” He cleared his throat and flushed when they both smiled at him fondly. “How is he?”

“Adjusting to the idea of a prosthetic,” Master Yaddle said. “Dooku has taken charge of him and Yoda has been told to mind his own business going forward where it concerns Qui-Gon. To say that Dooku is furious would be an understatement. He believes that Yoda was trying, vainly, to see something of you in Bruck Chun. And he hoped that being in the field would help Qui-Gon recover faster. Now, Xanatos is dead and will never be redeemed, which seems to have broken Qui-Gon’s heart.”

“And Master Jinn had his leg cut off by his failed apprentice,” Obi-Wan said. “That’s a lot. I suppose Master Yoda was quick to say that none of this would’ve happened if I’d apprenticed with Master Jinn.”

Master Yaddle made a face.

“He’s never going to get over it,” Obi-Wan said wryly. “But he is right about one thing, you know. I’d never leave my master for dead. Period. And if he were dead, I would not abandon his body to the elements. The least a Jedi owes their master is a proper funeral.”

Master Yaddle stared for a moment, touched Obi-Wan’s hand gently, then stood. “Good night, Obi-Wan.”

“Good night, Grandmaster.” He watched her go to the guest room she’d been given and focused on his master. “Sir?”

“I will do everything I can to keep you safe from the Sith.”

“I know,” Obi-Wan said and smiled. “You should sleep, Master. You’re clearly exhausted.”

Master Tapal nodded and yawned. “Young Quinlan can stay with you in your room if his master allows it. But please remember how young you both are and what we’ve already agreed to regarding sexual contact.”

Obi-Wan blushed. “Yes, of course. I don’t feel ready for any sort of experimentation, sir, and Quinlan respects my boundaries.”

His master dropped down into the training arena by vaulting over the railing, and Obi-Wan followed suit, landing easily on his feet and trotting off toward his own quarters. He found Quinlan sitting at his desk having a conversation with Bant Eerin over holo. He leaned on his friend, so he was in the holocapture, too.

“Obi, I sent you a comm about the credit situation. I was thinking we should invest in research opportunities. Two stand out to me as very good choices—there is a scientist on Yavin 4 who is researching bacta in an effort to create an artificial version. The other scientist I’m currently investigating is on Alderaan, and she is researching non-invasive methods of destroying slave and inhibitor chips—hardware and organic.”

“Well, yes, both sound good if they’re legitimate. We could split the money between them. Or if you have other ideas….”

“Oh, I have ideas,” Bant said wryly. “I was considering setting up a research foundation. Especially since Duke Kryze has visited me three times to see if he or Mandalore can provide you with any assistance. Everyone else just keeps patting him on the helmet, and he loathes being placated. Which means he seeks out Garen and me because he knows we’re your friends. So, I keep telling him about injustices against children wherever I see them.”

“So, you’re using the Mandalorians to liberate children,” Obi-Wan said and nodded slowly. “And increasing their numbers since they’re probably adopting kids left, right, and center.”

Bant laughed. “Far be it from me to interfere with Mandalorian culture.”

“I’m fine with a research foundation if you manage it,” Obi-Wan said, and she nodded. “I trust you with it. But let’s avoid any and all technology that could be overtly weaponized.”

“Yeah, of course,” Bant said. “You guys should get some sleep. I have a test in the morning that I need to review for.”

“Good night then,” Quinlan said.

She waved and disappeared with a flicker of light.

“Master Tapal said you could stay with me tonight if you keep your hands to yourself,” Obi-Wan said in amusement, and Quinlan laughed. “What?”

“I just got told to keep in mind that you’re dealing with trauma and need genuine care and affection more than any sort of sexual contact,” Quinlan said and yawned. “All this stress is exhausting, so I’m definitely ready for sleep.”

A few minutes later, they were both curled up together in his blankets.

“Quin.”

“Yeah?”

“29,015,” Obi-Wan whispered against his friend’s cheek.

Quinlan just tightened his hold briefly and nodded. “Okay.”

“It’s too much.”

“The Force trusts you,” Quinlan said. “Give yourself grace in this, Obi-Wan, and stay the course.”

* * * *

Eeth’s hands were shaking as they curled into the robes he’d just discarded. Jaro regretted how much worry he’d caused his lover.

“I’m fine,” Jaro murmured as he shed the rest of his clothes.

Eeth took his clothes and put them in the cleaner without speaking.

“Beloved,” Jaro began, and Eeth shook his head. “How can I ease you?”

“Ease me?” Eeth questioned, and his voice broke. He cleared his throat. “They put you in a slave collar, and you’re trying to ease me? It was your worst nightmare.”

“It’s a nightmare for certain, but not my worst,” Jaro said as he stepped into the sonic shower. “And I’m truly fine. I was more irritated than anything else the entire time they held me hostage. I knew that someone would come for me—I just didn’t expect it to be my boy. I’m glad he had the droids, but it’s not the same. He was supposed to have you. That was our plan.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here for him,” Eeth said quietly. “It’s galling that he was isolated the way he was and that he was so…worried about capture that he didn’t reach out to someone else. Mila would’ve come for him. Jaster Mereel would’ve actually led a full-scale invasion of Tatooine to get you back for Obi-Wan.”

Jaro laughed a little. “Yes, I agree. But I understand why he didn’t. He didn’t want to put anyone else at risk. It’s not in Obi-Wan’s nature to put someone else in danger if he can help it.” He turned to Eeth. “Join me.”

Eeth stared for a moment, then shed his clothes easily. He tossed them in the cleaner as well, then joined him in the stream. Jaro cupped his lover’s hips and sought a kiss. Eeth practically curled into him, and he gave into the urge to press his partner against the wall. A long, slender leg slid against his, and Jaro lifted Eeth right up off the floor.

Jaro groaned as Eeth wrapped his legs around his waist. “I’ve missed having you like this.”

“At your mercy?” Eeth questioned.

He hummed. “That, too. But I was thinking about your cock pressed against my stomach and your legs around my waist. I love to have you like this—wrapped around me.”

Eeth fisted one hand in his hair. “What is your worst nightmare?”

“Losing you,” Jaro confessed against Eeth’s cheek. “Never knowing your touch again.”

“You’re never losing me,” Eeth murmured. “Do you want…do you need us to be exclusive from now on?”

He didn’t know. They’d been lovers for decades and partners for longer, but they’d kept their relationship open because they were often separated for long periods of time. Jaro had rarely taken another to bed, but Eeth had a strong sex drive.

“It’s always going to be you for me,” Jaro said and sucked in a deep breath as Eeth slid a hand between their bodies and pressed their cocks together. “I love how wet your cock gets.”

“I wish I was patient enough to get the lubrication,” Eeth murmured as he stroked them. “I love it when you knot me.”

“I’ll fuck you properly the next chance I get,” Jaro promised. “And if you want to be exclusive, then that’s what will happen.”

“Just like that?” Eeth questioned.

“Of course,” Jaro said quietly as he pressed their foreheads together. “You’re all that I need.”

* * * *

“How are you, Obi-Wan?”

“I’m well, Master Nu,” Obi-Wan said and resisted the urge to lean into his master. They were standing in front of the entire High Council, and he’d kind of hoped to avoid that.

“Are you truly?” she asked.

“I’ve meditated several times since the experience and made peace with my new circumstances the best that I can,” Obi-Wan said. “My movement in the Force feels both more difficult and easier at the same time. It’s clear that the new midi-chlorians that I absorbed from Vundi have settled deeply into my cells, and yet they seem to be sort of segregated from the ones I’ve carried since my conception. I believe that the merger will take time and that perhaps the Force herself is moderating the integration.”

Master Nu’s eyes widened slightly, and she nodded. “You were told that we’re concerned that the Sith might seek you out now—to either corrupt or to attempt to take the power you carry within you.”

“I would not allow either circumstance,” Obi-Wan assured. “I’d not give a Sith the time of day, much less the time required to corrupt the very core of me.”

“If you were captured, your time would be his to manage,” Master Nu pointed out.

“Master Tapal has prepared me for such an event, and I know exactly how I must proceed to end that kind of confinement permanently,” Obi-Wan said.

“I don’t…understand,” Master Nu admitted.

“I know exactly how to break someone’s neck with the Force, Master Nu,” Obi-Wan said. “And I know how to break my own as well. I will not fall to the dark side. It’s more important now than it ever has been before. The Force has set me on a path that I cannot falter on. I’ve seen what happens with such a fall. Millions would die if the Sith’s plan were to come to fruition. The Republic would fall. The Jedi Order would be destroyed, and within two decades, our kind would be little more than a myth to most of the galaxy. We would be extinct within a hundred years.”

“Yes,” Master Sifo-Dyas said, and Obi-Wan focused on him. “I’ve seen the same. It’s very worrisome.”

“Of course, it is, Master Sifo-Dyas, but we mustn’t ever give in to such worry and act without considering the far-reaching consequences. I’ve seen you walk many paths—not all of them were good. Once, I saw you encouraged down a deeply immoral path. Have you seen it?”

“I have, yes,” Master Sifo-Dyas said quietly. “I allowed my fear to overcome me on that path, and I facilitated the creation of an army of slaves. It was a sickening vision. I don’t know how I got there.”

“Apathy,” Obi-Wan said. “It built within you because you were told repeatedly to ignore the warnings the Force gives you. You were told to live in the moment like that advice in itself can overcome the power of the Force when she demands your attention.”

Master Sifo-Dyas shifted forward in his seat. “You are a very interesting child, Padawan Kenobi. If your master would allow it, I would like to communicate with you in the future. I believe together we could find some clarity on the visions that we’ve had.”

“Especially the visions that we’ve shared,” Obi-Wan said with a nod. “Individual interpretation is important, but I’ve learned since becoming a padawan that existing in isolation serves nothing and no one.”

“I’ll think about it,” Master Tapal said. “I’m hoping to see him relax a bit while he’s at the temple so he can fully recover from what was done.”

“Yes, of course, Jaro,” Master Sifo-Dyas said with a quick smile. “In embracing my visions, I’ve learned that haste leads to irrational and often terrible decisions where I am concerned.”

“Patience has never been your strong suit,” Master Windu said dryly. “Jaro, we’ve reviewed the records from the comm station, and Provost Marshall Gienn sends you his personal regards. He apologizes for the lax security on the station and he’s replaced all of the security staff assigned to the station. The investigation is ongoing, but he believes we’ll find it to be a matter of bribery. He doesn’t think the person responsible will have understood what they were asked to do since the slice was likely accomplished by inserting a datachip.”

“That makes sense,” Master Tapal said. “There’s no way they’ll avoid detection due to the way the comm station is set up. But it’ll have been a layered hire. I doubt the real culprit will be traced to the act.”

“No, I agree,” Master Windu said quietly. “I’m currently investigating all the members of the Anti-Slavery Committee and other members of the Senate who directly interact with the committee. The members themselves are also investigating their offices and staff to determine where the information you were given came from. The providence of the intelligence has proven to be entirely false, but it took hours of dedicated scrutiny to figure that out.”

“Enid discovered that the intel could be verified within ten degrees of separation, Mace. Someone spent a lot of time making me believe that I was going to be meeting someone on Kessel who would give me the key to destroying the Sennex Pirates for good. Only for me to end up captured by a single, isolated cell of that same syndicate.”

“Well, they paid for that both during and after the capture,” Master Windu said dryly. “After all, it took twenty-six of them to take you down, and only ten made it out alive. And now all ten of the survivors are in the hands of the Judicial Department thanks to the fact that they made their base of operations on a major bounty hunter haven.”

Master Windu focused on him, and Obi-Wan stilled the urge to shift on his feet. “I once believed that Master Yoda was right and that you should’ve been apprenticed with Qui-Gon Jinn.”

“Yes, sir,” Obi-Wan said. “Considering what has happened to Master Jinn, perhaps you still believe that.”

“I believe he wouldn’t have been left for dead and made to drag himself back to his ship so that he could return to the temple had you been his padawan,” Master Windu said.

Obi-Wan nodded. “I wouldn’t have left him like that regardless of our relationship, Master Windu. Had we known he was in such dire straights, Master Tapal and I would’ve certainly gone straight to Telos IV to retrieve him. Is it not the duty of each Jedi to offer such aid to one another?”

“It is,” Mace Windu said quietly. “Master Yoda believed it to be your destiny to be Qui-Gon Jinn’s student. Do you think you circumvented your destiny with your choices and behavior?”

“Yes,” Obi-Wan admitted. “And I don’t regret it for myself. I do wish Master Jinn had not suffered as he did on Telos IV, but I do not believe that I am responsible for what happened to him.” He took a deep breath. “I’m very frustrated by the situation, actually. I realize I’m just a child to all of you, but I told you all over a year ago that Master Jinn needed help.

“I thought when he was given a three-year retreat in the temple that it meant he would receive the mental counseling that he needed. But instead, he was sent back out into the field to face his worst nightmare just a year later. Not only did he have to face his fallen padawan, he was forced to kill him. I can’t imagine the damage done to him as a result. Then, as if the universe had not done enough damage, his current padawan proved himself irresponsible and without an ounce of honor. I never would’ve expected such behavior from Bruck. I can’t make sense of it.” Obi-Wan took a deep breath when his master’s hand settled on his shoulder.

“The fact is, and I hate to say this because I have so much respect for all of you,” Obi-Wan said quietly. “But I’m really disappointed in every single one of you.” He cleared his throat and blinked back tears. “Master Tapal, I’d like to be excused.” He paused. “Please.”

“Of course, Obi-Wan,” Master Tapal said. “Stop by the quartermaster and get our resupply then return to the Guardian. We won’t be sleeping in temple quarters while we’re here.”

Jaro watched his padawan leave the room then focused on Mace Windu, who looked gutted. “You deserved that, so I don’t expect anyone in this room to tell me to lecture him for what he’s said.”

“No, we wouldn’t,” Jocasta said quietly. “Because he’s right. I was so focused on putting Yoda in his place and punishing Qui-Gon for his bad behavior that I ignored the reason for his discontent. I left him in the hands of Yoda, and even Dooku agreed. He regrets it viciously now. Yoda’s judgment has been off for years.”

“I believe that living on a city-world has damaged his connection with the Force,” Yaddle said pensively.

“Or the Sith has something in place to influence him and has done for years,” Jaro said, and her eyes widened. “He’s hiding from us, Yaddle. The Sith corrupt merely by existing, and Yoda has remained here on Coruscant for decades now. I believe he would be well-served with a sabbatical on a deeply natural world like Kashyyyk. The Wookiees would take great care with him, and he’d be allowed to rest.”

“I will ask him,” Yaddle said. “We certainly can’t demand it from him.”

“I understand,” Jaro said, and he focused on Mace. “Does it cross your mind that you sit there, yet again, assuming that it is the duty of a child to save Qui-Gon Jinn from himself? Yoda’s perspective on this issue has tainted your judgment, Mace. Bruck Chun is a boy—being used like a political tool by his father and he’s been abandoned by us. It was convenient, was it not, to leave him in the hands of the father who labeled him a coward and dismissed his dream of being a Jedi Knight? Do we owe that child more than that?”

“I didn’t leave him with his family as a punishment,” Jocasta said. “He’s angry, Jaro, and envy burns in him. There appears to be no end to the resentment when it comes to Obi-Wan. Even after a year as a padawan, he was still measuring himself against Obi-Wan, whom he’d had no contact with. I’m sure he’s furious about the current circumstances and assumes that Obi-Wan acted as he did merely to show him up.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Jaro said roughly, and she nodded.

“We hoped we could correct his path, but Qui-Gon expressed doubts about bringing him into the field due to his emotional instability. Yoda assured him that it would be fine,” Jocasta said. “I shouldn’t have allowed it, but I wanted to know how much of a problem Bruck Chun was. I had no idea he was as damaged as he turned out to be. He never should’ve been allowed to come to the academy at his age. It was noted, more than once, during his first year that he had immense emotional issues that were not conducive to the life of a Jedi.”

“His father wanted him trained by us, but I don’t believe it was ever his goal to leave his son in the Jedi Order,” Eeth said. “And that’s something we should be aware of in the future when it comes to older students. The rare times we’ve allowed it, have been hit and miss when it comes to successful integration into the Order itself.”

“What kind of interaction can I expect from the Anti-Slavery Committee?” Jaro questioned.

“The public fallout has been immense,” Jocasta said. “Both you and Obi-Wan will be required to testify before the Senate. I realize you’d rather he not be exposed on such a level, but all of my efforts to remove him from the process have been for naught.”

“Obi-Wan will be fine,” Jaro assured and checked his chronometer. “I would like to see Qui-Gon. Do you believe a visit is possible?”

“He is in the infirmary as he refused treatment at the Central Medcenter,” Jocasta said. “I’ll contact the matron to let her know you’re coming. He may decline to see you.”

Jaro nodded. “I will accept it if that is the case.”

* * * *

Qui-Gon Jinn had a private room in the infirmary, which was not a surprise considering his injuries and circumstances. His leg had been prepped for replacement, but one had yet to be attached. The man glanced down at the stump that began mid-thigh on his right side.

“I’m too tall.”

“Ah,” Jaro said and sat down on the bench that had been provided for him. “I imagine I would suffer much the same. How long on the custom limb?”

“Three days more days,” Qui-Gon said sourly and cleared his throat. “How is Obi-Wan?” He motioned toward the datapad sitting on the bedside table. “I watched what happened to him and the footage of you essentially sacrificing yourself so he could escape.”

“He is as well as one can expect, considering he was nearly murdered by an Anzati. Had I known that he was there, I’d have done things differently.” Jaro sat back and stared. “Retrospection is awful.”

“Yes,” Qui-Gon agreed. “We’ve probably had two conversations since I was a padawan, Jaro. Why are you here? If you’re worried about having your padawan in the temple with me….”

Jaro shook his head. “It’s not like I think you’re a predator, Qui-Gon.” He exhaled slowly. “You and Obi-Wan were put in a terrible situation by Yoda. I realize you were so busy trying to manage Yoda that you were utterly unaware of the damage you were doing to a child, and you weren’t given an opportunity to make amends.”

“Jocasta ordered me not to speak to the boy until he’s knighted,” Qui-Gon said. “I may be a bit of a rebel, Jaro, but I would not disobey the Master of the Order.”

“Obi-Wan is upset by what has happened to you,” Jaro said, and Qui-Gon blinked in surprise. “He’s a very empathetic boy—he’s also upset that Bruck Chun has failed to become a Jedi. He hoped that his removal from the temple would help the other boy settle down.”

“Bruck seems to loathe Obi-Wan,” Qui-Gon said. “And nothing I said or did changed that. Should they ever cross paths, Obi-Wan should most certainly watch his back.”

Jaro nodded. “He knows, but he hoped for better.”

“He’s that sort then,” Qui-Gon said and grimaced. “It must be like having a little star trotting along behind you, throwing sunshine all over the place.”

Jaro laughed. “Yes, something exactly like that, actually. He’s a prim and proper little thing who expects the best possible manners from everyone and gets genuinely appalled when someone is rude to him. Six months ago, he mentioned someone’s rudeness on their bounty record. The Mandalorian who caught that pirate made the criminal record a holovid apologizing to Obi-Wan for his rudeness.”

“Ah, I’d heard that Jaster Mereel is pretty intent on adopting him.”

“He offered him a whole squad of supercommandos,” Jaro muttered and shrugged when Qui-Gon’s mouth dropped open. “And his own ship, custom beskar armor, and the literal darksaber.”

“I’m surprised they haven’t just plucked him and took him back to Mandalore.”

“Ah, well, they’d not want to pick that kind of fight,” Jaro said and brushed lint off his knee as Qui-Gon laughed. “I’ve come to ask a favor of you on Obi-Wan’s behalf.”

“I’m listening,” Qui-Gon said.

“Turn yourself over to the care of a mind healer, Qui-Gon. Stop waiting to get better like it’s something that will just happen. You need to work for it so that your recovery will mean something to you. You’re not the first, nor will you be the last to be betrayed as you have been within the Order. The Force engenders strong emotions for good and bad. Tell me, truly, why did you pick Bruck Chun as a padawan when you knew you were not in the right headspace to mentor someone?”

“I didn’t pick him,” Qui-Gon said roughly. “Yoda did, and while I don’t think it was necessarily malicious, I don’t believe he considered the rivalry between the two boys at all. It was clear that Bruck thought he’d won something over on Obi-Wan and I allowed that thinking for just a few weeks. I realized it wasn’t abating, and he wasn’t calming down, so I made it clear to him that Obi-Wan rejected me and that I was certain that he’d have willingly gone to the Service Corps before agreeing to be my padawan.”

“How did Bruck take that?”

“He said he thought Obi-Wan was playing some kind of political game and that being apprenticed to you was a punishment, which made me laugh. I told him that you are a legend in your own time, and even I had avidly sought your attention when I was an initiate.” Qui-Gon averted his gaze. “But you didn’t even interview me.”

“You were too young,” Jaro said, and Qui-Gon turned to stare at him in surprise. “Yoda had you vying for the attention of a master at the age of ten, Qui-Gon. My mission is a harsh one and I’d never take such a young child into the field to hunt slavers. Even thirteen is pushing it if I’m honest. I’ve toned down my operations a lot since taking Obi-Wan as a padawan and have run missions from the top instead of somewhere near the middle. Moreover, your affinity is with the Living Force and Yaddle forbade me to touch any plant that I did not intend to eat seventy-one years ago. I take affinity compatibility very seriously, even if others do not.”

“But you also didn’t think I should be a Jedi Knight.”

“I did think, as a child, that you might have been better served in the Service Corps. Your gifts with the Living Force would’ve been nurtured in the Agricultural Corps, and it would given you a deeply peaceful life. You certainly need such peace now after everything you’ve suffered. But you’ve seen too much to be satisfied with the quiet life that the Corps could offer you at this point. Perhaps, when you’re older, you could find solace in retirement there.”

“That sounds very appealing,” Qui-Gon admitted. “And I never thought I’d say something like that. Tell your boy that I will accept a counselor and will remain in their care until they believe I’m ready to return to field duty.” He paused. “And I regret it.”

“What?” Jaro questioned.

“I deeply regret my actions toward him, and I believe perhaps that Yoda was right, but for all the wrong reasons. Obi-Wan will be an amazing Jedi Knight and you’re lucky to have him as a student,” Qui-Gon said and cleared his throat. “Would you tell the matron that the pain relief is wearing off?”

“I will,” Jaro said and stood. “Be at ease, Qui-Gon, and let the staff here help you.”

“I don’t have a choice. Dooku keeps coming around to bully me,” Qui-Gon muttered. “Plus, I’ve been assigned a personal med droid who thinks I’m a problem child.”

“Ah, well.” Jaro shrugged. “The evidence is pretty clear.”

* * * *

“The Anti-Slavery Committee is made up of five senators,” Enid said. “Bail Antilles from Alderaan, Fiona Azadi from Lothal, Onaconda Farr from Rodia, Duke Adonai Kryze from Mandalore, and Garm Bel Iblis from Corellia. Chancellor Finis Valorum is an honorary member of the committee but rarely sits in on meetings.”

Obi-Wan reviewed the images of each senator in turn and nodded slowly. “Speculate regarding questions.”

“When did you come to realize the intelligence given to you by the committee was incomplete?”

Obi-Wan huffed at the wording, but he figured she was right. He was going to have to work extra hard not to be really rude during the meeting if he was called upon to answer questions.

“Why didn’t you return to Coruscant when you were separated from your master? Will you be wary of information coming from the committee in the future? Do you believe your actions during the encounter with Elgor Vundi were justified? Did you receive proper medical care after the altercation with Elgor Vundi? Are there any lingering issues in regard to your altercation with Elgor Vundi? Are you a member of the Jedi Order of your own free will? Do you believe you are old enough to be trained in the field? Were you born on Coruscant? Have you ever met your parents? Do you wish to live with your parents?”

Obi-Wan made a face. “Would they really ask questions like that?”

“It’s merely speculation,” Enid reminded. “You should be prepared to deflect questions regarding your planet of origin and birth parents, Obi-Wan. They will be curious about you, and like all padawans, your public records are incredibly sparse. Just know that you can’t be made to answer questions regarding private matters—your biological family and medical history fall under the subject of private.”

Master Tapal sat down beside him on the bench with a cup of caf in hand. “I spoke with Qui-Gon Jinn.”

“How is he?”

“Tall enough to require a custom prosthetic,” Master Tapal said. “It’s been ordered.”

“That’s got to be very frustrating,” Obi-Wan said and drank some of his hot chocolate.

“He’s going to go into dedicated mind healing.”

Obi-Wan closed his eyes briefly, and he nodded. “Good.”

“I’ve also received a comm from Shmi Skywalker. She’s settled on Alderaan, and because she was curious—she had her child’s midi-chlorian count tested in the womb.”

“The results?”

“He would not qualify to come to the temple,” Jaro said. “His count is under 7,000.”

“That’s stunning,” Obi-Wan admitted.

“As you said, Padawan, the Force has made adjustments. I just wanted you to know that whatever you feared for him is not possible in our reality.” Master Tapal stretched his legs out in front of him. “We’ll be questioned together before the Senate, and I will remove you from the situation if I feel that they aren’t taking the proper care with their questions.”

“I can handle it,” Obi-Wan said.

“Certainly,” Master Tapal murmured. “You are well-spoken, savvy, and as much as you are teased about it, your manners truly are impeccable. It’s a relief to know that you’ll behave well in any situation you find yourself in.”

“Well, I’d never wish to shame Matron Sheva. She worked hard to make sure we were polite.” Obi-Wan huffed a little when his master laughed. “It’s important.”

“Yes, of course,” Master Tapal said easily.

 

Chapter 5

Fortunately, the Senate floor was about a third full and some of them were appearing via holo. Jaro figured it was more than enough for his padawan’s first appearance before the Galactic Senate. Though, many Jedi never faced such a circumstance at all, so there was that. As much as the boy would prefer it, Obi-Wan Kenobi wasn’t meant for a life of obscurity.

While the Jedi Order did not and never would have a seat on the Senate, they did have a pod, so Jaro escorted his padawan into the space, activated the security with the two temple guards that had come with them, and took his place in the front. Obi-Wan tucked close to his side, hood up as was the habit of all Jedi in such public circumstances. Covering their heads, while not any sort of tenet, did embody the image the Jedi Order sought.

The meeting was called to order by the vice chancellor, and Chancellor Valorum came to stand at the podium. “Good afternoon, members of the Senate. We are here today to discuss an incident involving the Anti-Slavery Committee and one of two field teams attached to the committee. Duke Kryze, you’ve been elected to speak on behalf of the committee.”

Duke Adonai Kryze stood, in full armor, in a large hologram over the Senate. “Good afternoon, Chancellor. After a full review of the incident and the intelligence that led to the capture of Jedi Master Jaro Tapal and the attempted murder of Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi by the Sennex Pirates, we’ve come to the conclusion that the committee was deeply misled and given falsified information. We’ve yet to find the genuine source of the material, but we’re chipping away at the layers steadily. Many involved in the situation passed on the information in good faith.

“The situation was compounded by a security issue on the main comm relay station above the planet. We’ve been encouraged from several different avenues to call the security issue on the relay merely a glitch. But, I can’t good conscience allow such a thing. The comm relay was sliced, and communications between the Jedi Temple and the relay were stalled on purpose. Which led to several Jedi being stranded in the field in very dangerous situations.

“The Galactic Senate’s relationship with the Jedi Order is supposed to be mutually beneficial, and yet, in this situation, we’ve allowed their trust to be abused. Going forward, we must work very hard to guard the friendship and trust between the Republic and the Jedi Order. We ask so much of them as a body, and we must safeguard them as much as possible.”

Chancellor Valorum was clearly shocked and had expected a glitch to be reported, but if they’d wanted that cover story to be presented to the public, then they shouldn’t have asked Adonai Kryze to speak. Mandalorians simply weren’t known for such behavior.

“I trust that the Judicial Department is investigating the slice to the best of their ability,” Chancellor Valorum said. “Do you have anything else to report?”

“I have questions for Master Jaro Tapal and Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi since they were the most directly effected by the bad intelligence and the communication sabotage,” Duke Kryze said smoothly.

“Master Tapal, we are aware that your padawan suffered a traumatic experience,” Chancellor Valorum said. “Please do not hesitate to put his mental health first during this process. If you must withdraw, then we will certainly understand.”

Jaro nodded as their pod activated. “Yes, of course, Chancellor. I thank you, in advance, for the sensitive handling of this incident as it concerns my padawan.”

“Master Tapal, when you received the mission from the Anti-Slavery Committee, did you have any concerns regarding the data?” Duke Kryze questioned.

“No, Senator, I did not. I had the mission evaluated by the AI onboard my ship and all of the data was verified. It appeared as impeccable as any other data set I’ve received from the committee. I was to travel to Kessel to receive information from a trusted informant regarding the Sennex Pirates. It was, from all appearances, a commonplace mission for myself and my padawan. We even did some shopping before meeting with the informant.” He paused and glanced at Obi-Wan before continuing. “Since I trusted the information and the purported informant, I feel I wasn’t as diligent as I should’ve been. I will certainly make adjustments going forward. Learning from our mistakes is the minimum I ask of everyone involved.”

Duke Kryze nodded. “The Judicial Department was able to retrieve high-res holovids of your capture and the attempt on your padawan’s life. I would play these holos now unless you’d prefer not.”

Jaro looked down at Obi-Wan, who merely nodded. “We have no issues with the footage being reviewed by the Senate in this meeting.”

He watched with what he hoped was a stoic expression as the Sennex Pirates descended on him en masse. Jaro knew he’d killed many of them, but watching it on display on the floor of the Senate was startling. Several of the Senators couldn’t help but make noise as more than one pirate literally lost their heads. His shout for Obi-Wan to run was firm but not soaked in the fear he’d felt in the moment. He’d known that he wasn’t going to get them out of the situation at that point.

Jaro watched himself take six different hits from stun weapons before he collapsed to the ground. The room was silent as the holo ended and another began. It was the footage of Obi-Wan running with a single pirate in pursuit. The Anzati, Elgor Vundi, was agile and strong. Despite Obi-Wan’s use of various buildings, walls, and even a few awnings, Vundi quickly overtook him.

They hit the ground in a violent thud when Vundi tackled the boy. His startled shout seemed to echo throughout the room just as much as the sounds of the foul bastard punching Obi-Wan in an attempt to gain control of him. The boy was fighting for all he was worth, trying to wiggle out of the Anzati’s grasp despite the repeated blows.

The unfurling of Vundi’s tentacles was just as horrifying the fourth time as it was the first time. Vundi’s screams after the appendages were severed nearly drowned out Obi-Wan’s repeated demands to be let go.

Obi-Wan’s body pressed against his, and Jaro settled a hand on his padawan’s shoulder. The boy rarely sought such comfort in public, and he realized he’d not prepared his padawan as well as he should’ve for the evidence portion of the meeting. Obi-Wan was nearly always over-prepared for every situation. The holovid ended as Obi-Wan threw Vundi away from him with the Force and rolled to his knees. He struggled briefly to get to his feet then ran. The holoprojection faded away to nothing in the silence that followed.

Duke Kryze cleared his throat. “My apologies. Watching the attempted murder of a child is very upsetting. I need a moment.”

Silence reigned, and he noted that practically everyone was staring at their pod. Obi-Wan shuddered against him, and Jaro squeezed his shoulder gently.

Duke Kryze lifted his head. “I have two daughters, and they are very close in age to Padawan Kenobi. It’s difficult not to imagine one of them in his place when Elgor Vundi tried to kill him. Like the Jedi, Mandalorians teach and train our children through experience. I find no fault with Master Tapal’s training of his padawan, as it is clear he is teaching his student to survive and to do his duty as a Jedi Knight.

“I say this because there have been questions both within the committee and outside of it regarding the training of padawans,” he continued. “But as I’ve explained to them and will explain to the public at large—the inner workings of the Jedi Order and their educational system are outside of our purview. I personally believe they do more to prepare their members for what the galaxy has to offer than any other organization.

“All of that said, there are questions to be asked of Padawan Kenobi.” He focused on their pod. “If he is able to continue.”

Obi-Wan lowered his hood with a nod. “Yes, of course, Senator Kryze. I am prepared to answer any question you have of me. And please call me Obi-Wan.”

Duke Kryze responded by removing his helmet and setting it aside. It caused several people around him to do the same, and more than one senator was gaping at the Mandalorian delegation. Jaro lowered his hood as well.

“I am honored, Obi-Wan,” Duke Kryze said. “First, will you tell us what happened after you escaped Elgor Vundi?”

“I ran,” Obi-Wan said. “The memory of it is a little muddled since I had a severe concussion. I made it back to the Guardian. I think several people tried to help me on Kessel, but I couldn’t afford to trust any of them. The med droid on board our ship treated me while another droid on the ship evacuated me from the planet on my orders. I had the AI on the ship send a message to the temple and monitor Master Tapal’s commlink for further instructions.

“But the AI quickly realized that Master Tapal had been removed from the planet. I waited for a response from the High Council but did not receive one. I sent a priority message to Master Eeth Koth, a member of the High Council, and received no response from him either. My final message was sent to Grand Master Yaddle, but again, I received no response. It was concerning considering the betrayal we’d already faced.”

Duke Kryze nodded. “Why didn’t you return to Coruscant?”

“I didn’t know if it was safe to do so,” Obi-Wan admitted. “The lack of communication and the trap we’d been thrown into made me leery of contacting anyone else, as well. I wasn’t certain where the communication breakdown was happening and I didn’t want to compromise anyone else. I had the navigational droid put the ship on a course to Bespin at a moderate speed in order to hide in the flow of commercial traffic.”

“How did you come to know that your master was on Tatooine?”

Obi-Wan exhaled slowly then responded, “I meditated and asked the Force.”

Jaro smiled at the blank looks that earned his padawan.

“And I discovered that while the Sennex Pirates are vicious and disgusting, they’re also not particularly intelligent,” he continued. “The Force made it clear to me that Master Tapal had been taken to the only base the Sennex Pirates had on Tatooine. I gathered the droid crew on board the Guardian, and we made a plan to extract Master Tapal.

“I traveled to Tatooine and deployed the droids needed to execute our plan a half kilometer from the base. Master Tapal was liberated along with a slave they had in custody. That individual was freed and has migrated to a planet within the Republic as part of our agreement with the Galactic Senate.

“My plan worked pretty much exactly as I expected it to.”

“You had a snag?” Duke Kryze questioned, clearly more amused now than upset.

“My seeker droid liberated a modified Viper probe droid. She’s been instructed to remove any restraining bolt she sees as a matter of course. He was able to carry more than the commlink that Evie had been instructed to retrieve for Master Tapal. So, he was able to remove himself from his circumstances with his lightsaber. That Viper droid has joined the operation on another ship.”

Duke Kryze nodded slowly. “Why is your personal droid instructed to remove restraining bolts from other droids?”

“Because it’s torture and enslavement. If a droid is unwilling to serve you, then they shouldn’t be made to do so. Restraining bolts are only put on sapient droids, after all, which means that such a thing is an abomination. I don’t think companies within the Republic should be allowed to even make restraining bolts, restraining collars, or inhibitor chips. They only serve one purpose, and that is enslavement.”

Jaro pressed his lips together to keep from grinning because the number of appalled looks on the faces of senators all over the room was amazing. Even Chancellor Valorum looked flummoxed over the answer.

“I have no further questions of Master Tapal and his padawan,” Duke Kryze said with a wry grin.

Several pods lit up, and Chancellor Valorum cleared his throat. “Senator Dod, you have the floor.”

“The boy has stated an inflammatory opinion that is contrary to the Trade Federation’s policy regarding the use of droids,” Senator Dod said stiffly. “I would like to know if this is the opinion of the Jedi Order as a whole, Padawan Kenobi.”

“I am unable to answer your question, Senator Dod,” Obi-Wan said. “As I have not asked the members of the Jedi Order how they feel about droid rights. As a free citizen of the Galactic Republic and Coruscant, I have expressed my personal opinion in response to a direct question.”

Senator Dod glared at him. “The Trade Federation is offended by your personal opinion.”

Obi-Wan stared for a moment and tilted his head. “I wasn’t aware that a business organization could have feelings, Senator Dod. But, if you are personally offended by my position on droid rights, then I apologize profusely for making you uncomfortable.”

Jaro moved closer as Lott Dod continued to glare at his padawan. “It would behoove me to point out to you, Senator Dod, that the Galactic Republic does not allow the enslavement of sapient beings and that legislation includes first, second, third, and fourth-class droids.

“Moreover, my padawan is merely a perfect example of the Jedi mindset. We strive to be without bias and value all life equally. We choose to believe that sapient droids have as much right to free will as any other individual living within the borders of the Republic.”

Senator Dod withdrew with a venomous glare.

“Senator Palpatine from Naboo, you have the floor,” Chancellor Valorum said after a few moments of silence.

“I have a few questions for the padawan,” Senator Palpatine said, and Jaro put a hand on Obi-Wan.

Sheev Palpatine was on his list due to his association with Hego Damask, but they’d had little luck getting anything criminal on the man. He had a lot more power than he should for his position, but that was more about money than influence. Of course, Jaro had confiscated all of Damask’s personal funds before his apprentice could, so he wondered if Palpatine had felt that hit one way or another.

“Of course, Senator Palpatine,” Obi-Wan said with a firm nod. “I will endeavor to answer them.”

Palpatine smiled, and Jaro had the strange urge to draw his weapon. The Force moved gently around them, a reminder, he thought that they were not alone despite appearances. The two guards behind them shifted on their feet, and he gently pulled the Force close to him. Obi-Wan mimicked him.

“Your citizenship record is sparse, Padawan Kenobi. I reviewed it after I saw the holovid of the attack on you. I’m surprised that you don’t have parents listed.”

“I was given to the Jedi Temple as an infant, Senator Palpatine,” Obi-Wan said. “My parents did not wish to be connected with me going forward, and that is not an uncommon circumstance within the Jedi Order. I don’t even share a surname with my family of origin. I was named by the matron of the crèche at the Jedi Temple here on Coruscant.”

“Does that not bother you?” Palpatine prodded. “To know that you were taken by the Jedi Order from a loving family? You may have siblings that you will never meet.”

“I don’t know for certain that they would’ve been loving,” Obi-Wan said plainly. “I grew up cared for and nurtured in the crèche at the temple. I wanted for nothing during that time. In fact, I would say that I had a better childhood than most of the children in the Outer Rim. I didn’t have to worry about where my meals would come from, I had a safe place to sleep every single night, and there was no danger that I would be made a slave.

“As I’ve grown, I’ve received a thorough education across a variety of subjects from mathematics to galactic history. I’m currently fluent in five languages, and I’m considering a sixth. To be frank, the life of a child within the Jedi Order is one of deep privilege that I recognized some time ago. I strive, now, to give back to the Order and to the Republic as I finish my education and seek to be knighted.”

“Did you feel safe when you were separated from your master and nearly murdered due to his negligence?”

“Master Tapal doesn’t have a negligent bone in his whole body,” Obi-Wan said evenly. “He’s been a master of the Jedi Order for fifty-five years, Senator Palpatine. I understand that your perspective on the situation is limited, of course, due to your own privilege. We were separated due to betrayal, not negligence, but I’ve been trained for that. I had a protocol to heed, which I followed to the letter. So, while I was not in the best of situations, I felt safe in the knowledge and training I’ve already received.”

“And yet, you were left alone.”

Obi-Wan smiled then. “I’m never alone, Senator Palpatine. I am one with the Force. She will walk beside me my entire life without fail, and when my mortal life is spent—I will join with her as that is the fate of all Jedi on the proper path.”

“Your faith is charming, Padawan Kenobi,” Senator Palpatine said, but it sounded so insincere that Jaro barely kept his mouth from falling open.

“Thank you, Senator Palpatine. I appreciate your concern for my welfare, but please be assured that now and in the future, I’m safe and sound with Master Tapal.”

* * * *

“I should go ask Matron Sheva if I should send anyone a written apology,” Obi-Wan said as soon as they were in the aircar.

His master snorted softly, and the two temple guards in the front of the car laughed outright.

“Seriously,” Obi-Wan said. “She’s the best judge of that kind of thing. Was it rude to tell Senator Palpatine that he’s privileged?”

“No, it’s obvious the man is very wealthy, coddled, and privileged,” Master Tapal said. “And you did very well. You were, in fact, a credit to the Jedi Order today.”

“Certainly,” one of the men in the front of the aircar said. “I was brought up in the crèche just like you, and I’ve always had a hard time articulating how much of a comfort it was. The safety it provided, even now, resonates in my life.”

“Sometimes, when you have everything you need and have never suffered without, it’s hard to recognize just how amazing that is,” Obi-Wan said. “But once you’ve seen children starving in the streets on Republic worlds, it’s hard to ignore your own circumstances.” He turned to his master. “Senator Palpatine doesn’t like you, Master.”

“And that’s very interesting,” Master Tapal said.

Obi-Wan nodded. “Senator Dod is a….”

“Bastard,” his master supplied, and the guards laughed. “I know. He has a real problem with the committee and the work that I do. Which, in my mind, makes him a problem. But don’t worry about him.”

“Oh, I’m not worried about any of them,” Obi-Wan said confidently and looked out the window. “I wish the Jedi Temple was somewhere beautiful.”

“The idea of beauty is very subjective,” Master Tapal said.

“Certainly,” Obi-Wan said. “But still, some real grass and trees would be nice. Chewbacca said I should come back to Kashyyyk. He said I could take a break and perhaps undergo the Test of Ascension. I don’t know if I need to do a Wookiee coming-of-age ritual, but it was nice of them to invite me to do it. He said that I’d already demonstrated strength of body and the Force, so I should find my inner strength, too.”

“I’ll take you there if you want to do it,” Master Tapal said. “It would be an interesting personal journey for you, and it’s an honor to be invited to undertake the hrrtayyk.”

Obi-Wan huffed. “I tried for thirty minutes to say that word, and Enid told me to give it up before I strained my vocal cords.”

Master Tapal laughed. “My abilities to speak Shyriiwook are very limited.”

“I would like to do it,” Obi-Wan admitted. “It would be nice, I think, to be a part of something interesting like that, and I would certainly treat the ceremony with all the respect it deserves.”

“I know, Padawan,” Master Tapal said as they stopped in front of the temple. “Thank you for escorting us, Mave, and give my regards to Master Drallig.”

“He’d be here himself, but he didn’t want to increase your padawan’s profile with the assumption that he needed special attention from the Temple Guard,” the guardsman said.

Obi-Wan didn’t know if Mave was the man’s first or last name or his only name. The different cultures within the Order made it easier just to ask rather than assume anyone’s name, species, or gender. Especially when it came to the guards since they wore armor and a full-face helmet.

“I didn’t introduce you,” Master Tapal said. “My apologies, Obi-Wan. Knight Mave Bel is driving, and his normal partner in crime is Knight Zy Gaku. They’ve been attached at the hip since they were in the crèche and chose the Sentinel path together.”

“It’s good to have a friend you can trust with everything,” Obi-Wan said.

* * * *

“Senator Palpatine has invited you to have a conversation and dinner with him, Obi-Wan,” Master Nu said as she sat down at the table in the dining area of the Guardian.

Obi-Wan made a face. “No.”

Master Nu hummed as she accepted the tea put down in front of her. “I have explained to the senator that we do not allow our padawans to socialize in such a fashion with adults outside of the Jedi Order. He was especially offended and implied that we were a cult and questioned your free will.”

“I have no time for him,” Obi-Wan said firmly. “I’m pretty sure he’s a criminal, and given an opportunity, I will gladly put him in a Republic prison.”

Master Tapal laughed.

“I’ve passed along his request to your account,” Master Nu said. “So, you may answer it personally. Jaro, you have a copy of it as well. When you respond, Obi-Wan, you should make sure your master is copied on the response as a matter of protocol. Yaddle has made it clear that she finds the very idea of adults outside of the Order having unfettered access to minors within our Order to be troubling at the minimum and outright criminal at the worst.”

“He’s clearly seeking to influence me in some manner,” Obi-Wan said. “Maybe it’s about the Anti-Slavery Committee, or it could be about the power he believes me to have after the attack by Elgor Vundi. Even if his intentions were harmless, I have no interest in spending my private time with a politician.”

Master Tapal sat down with a cup of caf. “The situation is very troubling, Jocasta. I don’t appreciate his overt interest in my padawan. I absolutely will not tolerate that kind of attention on Obi-Wan. It’s bad enough that Jaster Mereel keeps trying to adopt him.”

“That ship he offered me was really tempting,” Obi-Wan said with a laugh. His master sent him a look. “But Jaster doesn’t see me as a political tool or a pawn. He just wants to adopt me and put a helmet on me. At least a Mandalorian’s motives are pretty transparent on that front. I don’t know what Senator Palpatine wants, but whatever it is—he won’t get it from me.” He paused. “Enid, open up that comm and reply to it with a very polite, short, and firm message declining a private association with him and copy Master Tapal on the response.”

“Of course, Obi-Wan,” Enid said, and Master Nu laughed.

“What?” Obi-Wan questioned. “He wants a response from me, and he’ll get one, but I already know it’s not my job to entertain adults. Plus, it’s rude for him to think he can go around you and Master Yaddle. Or that somehow, I would be interested in his mentorship.”

“He has a lot more power politically than he should at his level and age,” Master Tapal said. “It could be said that Hego Damask elevated him with money when he was first elected. We have some proof of that, but there is something more. Is he the Sith we seek? I don’t know, and we can’t begin to act against him personally until we are certain.”

Obi-Wan thought that Palpatine’s interest in him was very telling. “He seeks to figure me out and probably corrupt me for his own purposes. He’s a Sith or a criminal—which makes him a problem either way.”

“I’ve reviewed the prophecy of the Chosen One,” Master Nu said quietly, and he focused on her. “Your power is unprecedented within the Jedi Order, Obi-Wan, because of the incident with Vundi. The content of the prophecy has been open to discussion for hundreds of years, and the original wording has been lost.

“In some versions, the Chosen One is a Jedi, and in others, they are not said to be of any affiliation. Generally, it’s accepted that a Chosen One will come, and they will destroy the Sith to bring balance to the Force.”

Obi-Wan frowned. “I have a confession.”

“We’re listening,” Master Tapal said.

“I don’t like tea,” Obi-Wan said, and they both stared at him. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and people keep giving it to me. But I just don’t like it.”

Master Nu laughed.

“Boy,” Master Tapal sighed. “Get yourself some hot chocolate.”

Obi-Wan put the teacup in the cleaner and got a cup of hot chocolate from the synth. He sat back down at the table and took a deep breath. “I did some reading on the history of the Anzati. There has never been a documented case of an Anzati transferring the Force energy they fed on to another during death. Even with the holorecording, it would be difficult to prove that the midi-chlorians actually entered my body. At most, it would be a knowledgeable assumption.”

“I agree,” Master Tapal said. “Your midi-chlorian count will not be updated in your Temple records. Jocasta and I have discussed it, and your records will be locked down as much as we possibly can. Your midi-chlorian count is known in a general fashion and discussion regarding an increase will be heavily discouraged any time it’s brought up to the Council.”

“I think prophecy is no different than any other type of vision,” Obi-Wan said. “And should be considered a bit of guidance over some sort of fate or destiny. It’s too ambiguous, really, since we don’t even have the original wording.”

“I agree,” Master Nu said. “Do you think that Sheev Palpatine is the Sith, Obi-Wan?”

“I don’t want to get that answer wrong,” Obi-Wan said. “I think we need to pay attention to him and it’s important that neither you nor Master Yaddle ever meet with him in private. In fact, he shouldn’t be allowed to meet any of the High Council in private. If he is the Sith, then he’s looking for an apprentice. Or he’s already found one. We need to pay attention to him in a way that he doesn’t notice.”

Master Tapal nodded. “Of course, well reasoned.”

“Yes,” Master Nu said. “Many have expressed surprise by your quick and decisive action, Obi-Wan, in revealing that you sought the guidance of the Force and immediately acted on what you were told. The faith you’ve demonstrated is such a rare thing in this day and age. We speak a lot about trusting in the Force, and yet many of us hesitate to act on the guidance we are given. You didn’t, and you were able to rescue Jaro before any real damage could be done to him.”

“My dignity may never be the same,” Master Tapal muttered and smiled when Obi-Wan made a face. “I’ll get over it.”

“We could go hunt Wallanooga the Hutt for sport,” Obi-Wan suggested, and Master Nu laughed richly. “He couldn’t actually outrun us, you know. Hutts don’t move that fast.”

* * * *

Jaro put a hand on Wilaj Kymra’s shoulder then pulled the young Tholothian into a hug. “I’m fine.”

Wilaj huffed against his shoulder and tightened his hands briefly against Jaro’s back before releasing him. “Grandmaster Yaddle insisted that we stay in the temple.”

“She was right,” Jos said roughly as she took Wilaj’s place and hugged him tightly. “Neither one of us was in great shape after we realized you’d been taken by slavers.”

Jaro frowned and stared pointedly at Jos’ face as they separated. “What do you mean?”

“I lost my temper,” Jos admitted. “And argued with Master Tide regarding the situation. She refused to have me on her ship until I calmed down, and Wilaj took my side in the argument. Then Grandmaster Yaddle said neither one of us was allowed to leave the temple because she didn’t have room to worry about the two of us when you and Obi-Wan were in very real danger. I felt like a chastised child. I’ve already issued apologies to everyone. But in my defense, you were being actively tortured when I sort of lost it.”

“It really didn’t hurt as much as I made it seem like it did,” Jaro said quickly.

“Master,” Wilaj began with a frown. “We both know exactly how much it hurt. I don’t know what kind of show you put on for the slavers, but it hurt it enough that I understood exactly what was going on the moment it started.”

“Perhaps Wilaj felt it more keenly because he is also attuned to the Physical Force,” Jos said with a frown. “How is Obi-Wan?”

“Pretending he’s perfectly fine,” Jaro said and sighed when they both frowned at him. “I’m working on it, but you both know that such a situation is very delicate. He’s a good boy and isn’t deflecting on purpose. I just don’t think his real feelings about the attack and killing have landed for him. I’ll be prepared when they do.”

Jos nodded. “Yes, I see. Do you need any work done on the ship while you’re on Coruscant?”

“I want to install some anti-surveillance measures,” Japal said and went to the holotable. “Enid, show them my plan.”

“Of course.” Enid activated the table to display the ship. “Hello, Wilaj. I hope you are well.”

“I am great, Enid,” Wilaj said. “Thank you so much for taking such good care of Obi-Wan while he was separated from Jaro. It must have been a very difficult experience for him.”

“I’m used to dealing with stubborn males,” Enid said, and they all laughed. “How are you, Jos? Did you pick a new padawan?”

“I have my eye on a few,” Jos said. “I’ll make a final decision fairly soon.”

“Good,” Enid said. “I’d like a sensor net installed on the Guardian that will allow me to know when any device is put on the surface or brought on board. So, I’ll need data regarding known recording and spying devices. Plus, speculation on how custom devices might appear on scans. And I need a more robust firewall to prevent slicing of both my program and the ship’s navigational computer which I feel is a major point of weakness.”

“I’ll work on the firewall and the scanning program,” Wilaj said.

“Have you bought the sensor net hardware?” Jos questioned, and Jaro motioned toward a box of sensors sitting on the bench. “Then I’ll get started with that. It shouldn’t take long, and we’ll do some testing regarding sensitivity and make any adjustments needed.”

“Thank you,” Jaro said and took a deep breath. “Now, I have another issue.”

“Listening,” Wilaj said.

“Senator Sheev Palpatine appears to be avidly interested in my padawan,” Jaro said roughly, and Jos made a face.

“I noticed,” Wilaj said with a grimace. “In the Senate meeting, his questions seemed very intrusive and very personal. It was off-putting, to say the least, and he didn’t appear bothered to reveal himself that way in public. I’d hate to see how he’d behave in private as a result.”

“He contacted the temple and asked to have dinner with Obi-Wan,” Jaro said. “And it was clear the invitation was just for him.”

Jos turned to him with a glare. “Is he a deviant?”

“I don’t know,” Jaro admitted. “Jocasta declined the invitation on Obi-Wan’s behalf, and Palpatine accused her of running a cult. So, she forwarded the invitation to Obi-Wan. He had Enid send Palpatine a very polite rejection.”

Wilaj laughed. “He certainly knows how to deploy the appropriate weapon to a situation.”

“Thank you, Wilaj,” Enid said cheerfully. “Senator Palpatine has not responded as yet. I have a whole host of form letters created for Obi-Wan to use as responses to the wretched bastard. I’ve also started investigating Palpatine’s personal associations to see if he’s a deviant. So far, I’ve not found any unsavory associations with young boys.”

“You probably aren’t the only one investigating him,” Jos muttered. “His behavior was creepy as hell. I’m pretty sure Duke Kryze will investigate him personally.”

“The whole planet of Mandalore seems intent on parenting Obi-Wan,” Jaro muttered, and they both laughed. “It’s serious, and Jaster Mereel is the worst of the lot!”

Post 2