Star Wars: Dark Future

Tynna, Tynna Government Building, 22.1 BBY

"Your pacing is becoming a test of my self-control, Apprentice. Either discover something productive to do, or meditate to purge yourself of this pointless restlessness" Dark Woman chided from her cross-legged seated position on the floor.

Watching from the corner of the room, where she could observe both her Padawan and the ornately carved hardwood door leading to the corridor from their adjoining two bedroom suite. Her voice lacked any bite, however, because she could so easily empathize with her sensitive student.

"Anakin has grown as controlled as any Jedi Knight over the last few years, but the arrival and subsequent crowding together of so many minds filled to the brim with negative emotions challenges even a Jedi Master's composure." The tall, blue eyed, short straight silver-haired Jedi Master silently considered as she studied her tense protege.

Long accustomed to immediate obedience, Anakin had come to a halt as soon as she'd spoken. Still, his dropping into a "parade rest" stance did nothing to exorcise the obvious tension in every line of his lean, well-muscled 6'2, 190lbs frame.

His dark blue eyes, matching the tunic otherwise cut in the Jedi style, had grown even darker with the worry lurking in them. Although the strong handsome features of the young man he'd become gave little sign of his disturbed equilibrium, and then only to one who knew him intimately.

Denied the ability to prowl as was his wont on the rare occasion he was this troubled, the nineteen year old apprentice had begun toying with the red, blue, and yellow bands in his long thin Padawan's braid.

It was a bad habit the Jedi Master had never once scolded him for, because she had sworn never to scold her future apprentices for doing so during her own Padawan years. After her own departed Master had driven her up a wall with his scolding about the bad habit for what had seemed the millionth time.

Jedi were only mortal, so one or two harmless tics which bled off nervous energy could be accepted. At least in her opinion. Knowing the Council would likely disagree with such an assessment touched on her own reservations about their notions as to the definition of the "ideal" Jedi.

"I was trying to do something productive, Master. There's something important I'm failing to recall about Tynna.

Something I already tried moving and rising meditation to coax into my conscious recollection after Force-assisted recall failed to do more than bring the information into what I'd call tip-of-my-tongue range.

I thought something mindless like counting paces taken might allow me to come at the information from another angle" Anakin replied while struggling to keep the frustration he was feeling out of his voice.

Now it was the Jedi Master's turn to look worried.

"I haven't seen you so clearly unable to release your feelings into the Force since it came down to a spear-throw of your saber. Preventing Granta Omega from releasing his chemical weapon on Mawan."

Seeing her apprentice's body language, as well as the muscles in his face grow subtly tighter, she regretted having brought the subject up almost before the words had finished leaving her mouth.

The faintest shadow of an old pain crossed the young man's face. Momentarily distracting him from the tension and anxiety he was currently grappling with. Sensing his Master's regret, Anakin's expression softened as he replied with a quiet firmness.

"It meant the galaxy to me. You never questioning my decision to kill that mad dog. Many Jedi would have insisted I had an obligation to try and disable him."

Without a moment's hesitation, Dark Woman replied with obvious conviction "I would have killed Omega myself, rather than tolerate any risk of the toxin's release inside the city, or the detonation of the radiation bomb he intended to poison the planet's surface with.

You acted in complete accord with the training I have given you. Not to mention saving both our lives and Master Yaddle's."

Obviously weighing his reply for several seconds, the young Jedi finally shook his head as he answered.

"It could have happened any number of ways. Originally, that madman succeeded in releasing his poison before making his escape. Master Yaddle would have sacrificed herself absorbing and neutralizing the toxin before it could kill you and I, Master."

"It could have happened some other way, but it didn't, Anakin. Humility is one thing, but you're taking self-effacing behavior to an unhealthy extreme. Why do you think that is? I noticed you chose to end the accounting of your foreknowledge with Omega's escape.

Is that because he would have taken still more innocent lives, and you'd rather not acknowledge you were the one to prevent those deaths?"

The Jedi Master observed with mild exasperation. Firing off a barrage of questions meant to get at the root of her Padawan's tendency to downplay his own role in whatever events transpired.

Quiet for a considerably longer period this time, the teen finally responded in an almost haunted manner.

"I think it would be very easy for me to grow arrogant and prideful, Master. You've done your very best to train me not to make comparisons between myself and other Jedi, because it's an unproductive practice.

Just as you taught me everyone has their own path to, and destiny from, the Force. In so doing, you helped me unlearn a very self-oriented way of looking at myself and others. Which is something I will always be grateful for.

For all that, I'm not insensible concerning how easily many things come to me. The Force has given me such profound gifts, I want to remember my strengths and talents should be enough for anyone!"

Shaking her head vigorously, there was genuine heat in the venerable Jedi's voice when she shot back.

"The truth is never evil, and neither is a healthy sense of pride in one's achievements or feeling satisfaction due to the realization of one's goals. You're making the elementary mistake concerning fear again, Apprentice.

Failing to remain rooted in the present, in favor of focusing on a future which does not now, and may never exist! I have never known you to be prideful, and while you grew a little arrogant after your capacity for several Sense techniques suddenly leaped forward, it was something you eventually found the proper perspective on.

You've been trained better than to plan and act as a result of possibilities you find frightening."

Anakin grew still as he turned Dark Woman's words over and over in his mind. Examining them from all sides, as a tumult of emotions flashed across his face to vanish just as quickly as they'd come. Finally laughing rather ruefully, before remarking.

"I never thought of it that way, Master. It seemed to me simple prudence, but I suppose it's always easy to rationalize and justify any position we take. Thank you for reminding me to inspect my foundations, rather than-" The words suddenly died away, as what he'd been trying to remember prior to this conversation finally crashed in on him.

Paling as the realization of what was likely occurring flooded to the forefront of his attention, he hurriedly exclaimed.

"I remember what was nagging at me, Master! We need to find Master Yaddle immediately! I'll explain on the way!" Restraining the impulse to race for the door, Anakin considered Dark Woman's most recent words to him.

Dashing into his own bedroom and returning wearing a small pack, with a smaller pouch hanging from his belt.

He clicked a control interface about his right wrist, then hurriedly followed his Master from the room. Doing his best to control his impatience and worry, as he fervently hoped his recollection hadn't come too late.

...

"The Judicial Forces blockade around Geonosis is an assault upon our sovereignty. It must be removed, and the J.F must quit the Geonosis system entirely.

Otherwise, I have been instructed to inform you there will be significant consequences, Chancellor Organa!" The short, green skinned, brown haired Jedi Master heard the chief Geonosian diplomat's pledge.

Sensing both the finality underlying his statements, and their underlying duplicity as she did so. The insectoid's outburst in accented Basic had been entirely out of order.

Coming as it did in response to the Chancellor's formal greeting to the just-assembled dignitaries. Right after he'd eloquently expressed his belief that a settlement to preserve the unity of the Republic was still possible.

Watching while some diplomats raised their voices to condemn the outburst, and others all but shouted their support for the Geonosian pledge, Yaddle's sigh was nearly silent as she sensed the rising level of discord among the delegates expanding to fill the room like a pall of bitter-smelling smoke.

Moving smoothly and unobtrusively to stand beside the Jedi Master standing seven or eight paces behind the Chancellor's position in a center seat on this side of the huge triangular table, Ferus Olin calmly remarked.

"Not a very auspicious beginning, is it, Master Yaddle?"

...

Hey guys can you throw some power stones to Elevate the ranking.

=========================

if you want to read ahead of the public release you can go to p@treon :

 [email protected]/Rage_moon