A New Jedi in an Old Republic

Jedi Temple

"Katarn."

Kyle looked up from his work station, grateful for the opportunity provided to stop thinking about paperwork. He never had to do this much back home, that was for sure. "Obi-wan! What can I do for you?"

The young Master looked around to see if anyone was listening in, then sat down across from Kyle. "Have you seen Anakin recently?"

"No..." Kyle let his answer be drawn out as he tried to remember the last time he saw Skywalker. "Have you checked with Jan? He's been talking to her a bit about our ship."

"He does have an interest in all things flying," Obi-wan said. "I received a message from him, and I hoped that it had been sent more recently than not."

Kyle focused his attention on the robed Jedi. "And you're coming to me, why?"

"You seem to have an alternate perspective to help me understand. It is not that I am trusting in you solely, but I find that I would be remiss if I also ignored your input."

"I don't... think? I've impressed Anakin that much."

"He calls you 'Master', even though you are a Knight-Errant," Kenobi explained. "He was impressed by your... approach to certain problems."

"I shot the droid."

"Yes. Among other things. I received a message from him earlier today, and while I have talked it over with some of the other Masters, their advice has been less than helpful."

"You're also being very evasive about the nature of the message," Kyle leaned back and crossed his arms.

"He signed on with the Republic Navy as a Starfigher Pilot."

It took a moment for Kyle to make all the necessary connections. "Tarkin's thing?!"

Obi-wan nodded.

"Oh sithspit," Kyle swore, earning a reprimanding glance from Obi-wan, which was ignored. "Oh, that's not a good thing for you guys at all, is it?"

"It is... unusual, that is for certain. And it reflects poorly on my ability as a Master."

"So you come to me because I'm not in the Order, and thus my opinion means less, or rather, I can give a truer measure without internal politics in the way." Kyle wanted to grin at just how similar the two were, coming to him with the same logic, but for different causes. "And because Anakin went off on his own adventure."

"I would not put it so flippantly, but yes," Kenobi agreed, then left a silence for Kyle to fill.

"Alright, I'm just making guesswork here, but it seems like there are a couple possible reasons for his actions. First is that he's reaching that point where he feels he can become a Knight, and is pushing his boundaries in preparation for that."

"That was also brought up to me by one of the other Masters. Though they seemed to find it more funny than you are portraying it. For whatever reason."

"If that is the case," Kyle spoke as he thought, "then he's going to come back from his self-appointed mission with new lessons learned, new skills, and a greater appreciation for what you have taught him. You can certainly discipline him appropriately, and he may even expect it. But it will also be proof that he can handle the greater responsibilities of Knighthood."

"You went through the tests yourself, Knight-Errant," Kenobi said. "Something like this would not earn him a promotion."

"Check your history," Kyle replied, remembering his own, and something Luke dragged out of the fragmented archives. "It is not unheard of for a Jedi to be promoted in rank due to service in conflict, with the understanding that they still train to fill out their other skills."

Obi-wan frowned. "I have heard that Master Nu has been compiling reports and histories from the Archive regarding that. But most of the records are from the last war with the Sith, a thousand years ago. History is fragmentary before that."

Kyle wondered if he went back to the Valley, if he could pester the ghosts about the location of some holocrons to help out the Jedi, then dismissed the thought as it would result in giving the Jedi a short-term gain in exchange for a lack of long-term maturity. "Don't just follow the old ways blindly," he instead warned Kenobi. "Understand them in the context of their time, and their culture, then decide if you should adopt them or not."

"Wise words," Obi-wan agreed easily.

"I'm told I have them on occasion," Kyle gave off a blatantly false sense of modesty. "Next possibility – he was swayed by Tarkin's rhetoric, and joined him because of that."

"Unlikely," Obi-wan countered. "Anakin is too strong-headed to be swayed so easily."

"Still, it is a possibility, and may have been a contributing factor."

"I must agree," Obi-wan admitted. "As much as I do not like the associated logic as it would show me in a poorer light."

"Or it could be that Tarkin was actually that good."

"You don't even believe your own words," Obi-wan replied. "Your mistrust of the man would be suspect if you weren't past it."

"You think I don't like him? You should have seen Jan when she found out." Kyle shook his head. "She was ready to grab a blaster."

"Curious," Obi-wan noted for later that if Tarkin could upset a Jedi and his companion like that, there may be further trouble for Anakin.

"You could say that," Kyle sighed. "Third possibility – your Padawan agreed with the public propaganda that the Jedi weren't helping, and sought to alleviate it personally out of loyalty to the Order."

"I find that even less believable."

"Well, I am stretching for a third option," Kyle admitted. "Though I am more used to working out of the observation of the public, so I may be biased in that regard."

"I find that fair," Obi-wan noted. "Tarkin mentioned that his mission would take a few weeks. I will communicate with Anakin, though I am unsure what to say."

"Well, don't tell him he's wrong and he needs to come back to the Temple," Kyle said plainly. "You'll only reinforce his decision to leave."

"You have an excellent grasp on his character."

"No, he's a teenager."

"He's Jedi."

"That too," Kyle smiled. "You have to remember that being Jedi is not exclusive to anything else."

Obi-wan recalled that Katarn openly called himself a former soldier, mercenary and farmer, and had used that position in defence of his actions and choices before. It was still relevant. "Yet that is a lesson we are hard at learning, if we are to fight for the Republic."

"Well then, aren't you glad that your apprentice is taking the initiative and learning on his own accord in order to teach it to the other Jedi here in the Temple?"

"That's certainly one way to describe it," Obi-wan admitted. "Thank you for your time."

"And thank you for the distraction," Kyle said with a smile.

"Oh, before I go, the Council has looked into the missing Jedi you and Halcyon brought to our attention."

"And?" Kyle leaned forward, eager for good news.

"We are as stumped as you are. Fortunately, this is something we do have more experience in, so we have already assigned people to the task of locating them."

"I'll let Nejaa know then. His people were quite annoyed by the lack of information."

"Don't worry. We'll find them."

Senate Building

Office of Senator Bail Organna

"Good afternoon, Senator," Bail greeted Padme Amidala as she stepped into his office. "How are you today?"

Padme glared at him. "My office is being secured, again."

"Well, after the leak in the Chancellor's office was discovered," Mon Mothma spoke up from where she sat, startling the young Naboo Senator who hadn't noticed her, "Senate Intelligence is overreacting, and there is little I can do to stop them as it makes them feel better. That they have found listening devices – though not in your office – only enforces their feelings that their decision is the correct one."

"Senator! I did not expect you here," Padme regained her mental footing quickly. "What brings you here?"

"I am updating Senator Organna regarding certain actions being undertaken by Intelligence," Mon Mothma said firmly. "Though it appears I have overstayed my appointment."

"Ah," Padme said in understanding. She was conflicted over her fellow Senator's recent appointment, but was glad she wasn't spontaneously expressing the worst of her fears for someone in the spy business. "Actually, can you stay for a few minutes? I have something I wish to speak about, and having your input due to your new position may be of help."

"Oh?" Bail raised on eyebrow, the Alderaan Senator now curious as to what Amidala had in mind. "What is it?"

"I have received permission from the Chancellor to travel to Mandalore to attempt to ally them with the Republic," Padme announced proudly. "He was quite agreeable to the idea, and was setting the necessary plans in motion when I left his office."

"I had heard about that!" Bail said, surprised. "I wasn't expecting you to be the one to lead the delegation!"

"A fine choice!" Mon Mothma agreed. "I think you will do wonders."

"Thank you. Thank you both," Padme said proudly. "But I will not be going alone. The Chancellor will be contacting the Jedi to send a representative as well, their diplomatic skills are unquestioned, even among all the insults being thrown their way."

"That is good," Bail nodded sagely. "How do I fit into this? Surely you weren't coming here to ask me to join your embassy?"

"No, I merely came to ask your advice for when dealing with Duchess Satine," Padme replied.

"And then I must ask the same question," Mon Mothma stated. "If we can get that out of the way quickly, then I can leave you two to your discussions sooner."

"Well, with my office being scanned, again, and my nominal security detail being rechecked for potential leaks, I was hoping you had some idea about how I could proceed in that regard."

Mon Mothma thought about that. Then she had an idea, one that would push the boundaries of the relationship she had built with that person, but would hopefully return good dividends. "I may be able to supply an experienced field agent who could use a light weight assignment," she pondered out loud. "If you're not worried about the lack of your captain and his guard, I can arrange for Senate Intelligence to supply the necessary people."

"I'm certain that if the Jedi send a representative, then they could aid in your protection as well," Organna added. "I vaguely recall the Jedi doing something like that for the Duchess herself some years ago, though the details elude me."

"While that is all well and good, and far be it from me to decry the ability of the Jedi," Padme's position there was clear, "it would be better for all concerned if I had my own people."

"You're worried about being seen as weak, and dependant on the Jedi," Mon Mothma concluded.

"That is one way of looking at it, yes," Padme said. "When can you contact your agent?"

"I will do so as soon as I leave," Mon Mothma replied, already thinking about how to present this situation to Ors. "In fact, I should take my leave now, so you two can discuss strategies and incentives while I organize my end of things." She stood and bowed to the two of them politely.

"Thank you, Senator," Padme said with a smile. "I look forward to meeting your person."

Invisible Hand

Deep Space

Grevious finished the most recent report about the ships attempting to intercept him. The spies reporting to Dooku were competent in their own way, though he found them delivering too much natter for his liking. "Show me a list of nearby orbital installations," he commanded, waiting while the order worked its way through the stupid heads of the stupid droids. Perhaps he could convince some of the droid designers to come up with a smarter, or at least more specialized Droid to help direct the ship.

But that was a thought for another day. Today, he had a battle to fight. The requested list was brought before him and he scanned it with a hunter's eyes. Some locations he dismissed due to distance. Others because of what they were. From the remainder, he picked one at random, or perhaps the name appealed to him? Either way, it would serve for his purposes as well as any other.

"Set a course for Gatri Station," he said, indicating the selected target on the list. "I want the fleet to drop out of hyperspace outside the range of our weapons."

"You don't want to get close?" the navigation droid questioned his orders.

Pushing down a reflexive anger, Grevious recognized the question as legitimate. "Not this time," he said. "I have a plan that requires we start farther away. Also, do nothing to hide our course from our observers."

"Sir?"

"I want them to know where we are going."

"But they'll find us!"

"Yes!" Grevious said happily. "Yes, they will."

Bridge, Eriadu

Tarkin read the emergency report. "It seems like our opponents are moving," he grinned. "They are on a course for Gatri," he announced to his crew. "Send them a message alerting them to the incoming attack, and alert all ships to form up for Hyperspace!"

He recognized the trap for what it was. Gatri was little more than a refuelling station around the gas giant of the same name, in orbit of the star of the same name. It was one of those lazy naming choices made by people in ages long past.

The enemy, it seemed, was forcing his hand by forcing a location to fight at. A fuel depot like that would be an easy kill for the forces being brought to battle once the defensive militia had been swept aside. He had to respond.

Yet the question then became one of what was going to keep the enemy there? Such a target was an easy kill, yet the enemy had made their intentions clear. He was to be drawn into battle. Then what?

Gatri

"We are at long range," the droid announced as the five ships settled into line formation. "We are advancing slowly. Orders, sir?"

"Deploy fighters into a defensive screen," Grevious said calmly now that battle was at hand. "They are to protect the ships," the order was given even though the General could see that the distant fuel station held its own fighters close, shield raised as much as possible. "All ships are to begin firing on the depot in the planned staggered firing pattern."

"Roger, Roger!" To his right, Grevious could see the ship farthest from him begin to fire its weapons at the distant station. At this range, the weapons spread that was optimized to hit moving vessels would result in many misses, but those that hit would keep the station honest in its own defences. The misses would not hit the gas giant due to the angle of the shots, but did still have a chance of hitting the fleeing civilian craft.

He let himself enjoy that part. That was the crux of this engagement. While he could have jumped in closer and smashed the station with negligible fighter losses, that wasn't what he wanted. Rather, by starting so far away, and keeping the pressure up, he was driving a spike of fear into the enemy. They would wonder what he was doing, and why, growing ever more worried as he closed ever closer until they would start to die. That Grevious and his fleet (even if they didn't know it was him) could act with such impunity in the face of a lack of a Republic response.

And if the Republic did respond, he would shatter their fleet, leaving their broken ships and bodies as a warning to the next foolish defenders of the Republic of what awaited them, carried on the words and pictures of the fleeing civilians and surviving clones.

While Grevious did not agree with Dooku on many things, on this he did. Damage to the morale of the Republic was just as important as damage to the war material of the Republic when it came to their goals. The Sith Lord had reminded the cyborg General again and again the importance of fear and hate in combat. Hate came naturally to him, while instilling fear in the enemy was a more nuanced art. One that he was growing proficient in, even as his desired targets had yet to manifest before him.

"Sir, it is our turn to fire," Grevious' momentary introspection was halted as the droid addressed him.

"Very well, keep the fire pattern intact." By cycling which ship was fighting, he emphasized the apparent discipline of the Droid armies, even though it was merely a ruse that utilized their simplistic minds and one of their few strengths – the ability to follow a pattern.

It also had the advantage of letting the other ships have their weapons ready in case the enemy showed their face.

"Sir, we're detecting an incoming hyperspace signature off our port side!"

And there they were.

Bridge, Eriadu

The five ships emerged from hyperspace in formation. In front of them, backlit by the gas giant, was the five attacking separatist ships. Tarkin had them caught between him and the planet perfectly. "All ships! Launch all fighters! Target the nearest frigate and fire! HOLD NOTHING BACK!"