#she also may or not have aided the republic in any way she could while staying under the order's radar

[djarrex]

not me spur of the moment thinking up a jedi oc who loosely resembles mila kunis with heterochromia and dark hair who uses a yellow-orange double-bladed split saber

[elendiliel]

Oya Manda

This follows on from this fic, but hopefully it can stand alone. It's also the longest piece in this AU to date (one reason it's taken so long for me to finish it), so be warned.

There are also more references to @itsstrangelypermanent's OC Nuts and @imrowanartist's Yara, made with their authors' kind permission. I recommend reading more about them (medical logs and Deference for Darkness, respectively, are good starting points).

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“And you can confirm that Maul is currently in Sundari?”

“It’s not something about which one can be mistaken, if one has a shred of Force-sensitivity.” Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi conceded Jedi Knight Helli Abbasa’s point. He had a long history with the ex-Sith. “He’s holed up in the Mand’alor’s residence. My guess would be that he comes and goes via the sewer network. It’s extensive enough, and nobody in their right mind would go down there unnecessarily.” Maul was not in his right mind, if Helli were any judge. She had only sensed him from several rooms and an outer wall away, relying on passive scans so as to conceal her own presence, but was pretty sure he wasn’t playing with a full deck.

“A reasonable deduction. We’ll have to find some way to seal them off if we do stage an attack. Which, thanks to you four, is looking quite likely. Between the evidence you gathered,” meaning Helli and her new riduur Torrent, aided and abetted by Doctor Mij Gilamar, “Bo-Katan addressing the Senate as both her sister’s heir and the spokesperson for multiple factions, and Senator Amidala and her allies doing what they do best,” appealing as much to emotion as to logic, “I’d say the odds are in our favour.” (Helli wondered briefly how Padmé was still in the Senate after her Jedi husband’s dramatic announcement of their marriage – at her wedding breakfast. Maybe the news hadn’t got out yet. Helli hadn’t exactly been able to pay much attention.)

“That was a good idea of yours, allying with the other factions.” Lady Bo-Katan Kryze spoke casually, but Helli knew that was high praise, coming from the Mandalorian woman.

“Just rational.” Unity and diversity equalled the good kind of strength; every youngling knew that. It may have helped that Helli also came from a clan-based society, and a species with a long race-memory. The last rising of the clans on Alba had nearly defeated the occupying Sassenachs – could have done so, given better leadership and thus better tactics.

The three-way holographic conference soon became a logistical one, working through the details of the planned joint Mandalorian-Republic assault, especially those pertaining to the alliance’s men and woman on the inside. There was a lot to discuss. Maul was too slippery a customer for anyone to want to leave anything to chance.

It would take a little while for the Senate, Jedi and Mandalorians to get all their waterfowl in a row. Helli, Torrent and Mij made the most of that time, exploring Sundari, seeing the sights, investigating the restaurants and bars – and scouting out the territory in which they would soon be fighting. (The newlyweds also found themselves enjoying the kind of long, lazy lie-ins neither of them had ever really experienced before, counterbalanced by late but active nights.)

But it couldn’t last, of course. Five days after the conference, just as the party returned to their hotel after latemeal, a prearranged coded signal informed them that the invasion fleet was well on its way, and they had just enough time to start running the program they had been sent, which would slowly and insidiously take down Sundari’s outer defences and lock off Maul’s most likely escape route. It should by rights have been installed in the city’s security centre, but any incident there would alert Maul’s forces, and the team was already walking on eggshells after a dust-up with a few “Mauldalorians” (as Torrent’s shieldmate Spark, one of the program’s architects, called them). Helli had blurred their memories as best she could, but still didn’t want to take any chances. Instead, a variant on standard remote-desktop and virtual private network protocols fooled the relevant terminals into thinking the program had originated there – and concealed its real origin.

While it ran, the party used the time to dress for the occasion. Mij, a relatively traditional Mandalorian despite being cin vhetin, routinely wore his armour, but augmented it with his helmet, blasters and jetpack, which had been smuggled in to him by the same contact of Bo-Katan’s who had delivered Torrent’s new armour. Real beskar’gam, painted just like his plastoid suit. Every clone who fought to liberate Mandalore would be offered a place in a Mandalorian clan, and the armour to go with that status; Torrent happened to be the first to receive it.

Mij having tactfully made himself scarce, Helli helped her cyare don the more complicated beskar gear over the armourweave full-body kute and boots that went with it, as best she could while he insisted on helping her with the outer layers of her Jedi robes (the inner tunic, trousers and boots constituting her civilian attire). As ever, it didn’t take long for them to find the right rhythm. Upper body armour; outer tunic; shoulder bells, rerebraces, vambraces and gloves; tabard; cuisses and greaves; obi; jetpack, belt and holsters; tool belt, headset, vambrace and lightsabres; helmet. It was only when her beloved’s face was hidden that Hel fully realised that they were about to take part in a full-scale battle, not a skirmish, for the first time since she had admitted that she loved him. One or both of them might not come back, and the idea hurt.

Picking up on her almost-concealed disquiet (and somewhat disquieted himself), Torrent held her close, resting his forehead against hers as he had at their wedding. “Mhi solus tome,” the riduure said together, quoting the Mandalorian marriage vow, “mhi solus dar’tome, mhi me’dinui an. Ib’tuur mhi verde.” We are one together, we are one apart, we share all. Today, we are warriors.

She clung to him for just a moment longer, before they both found the strength to draw apart, just as the second signal arrived. The invasion fleet had engaged the enemy. That was the cue for Mij to run another program, hijacking the public address system to broadcast a single message on repeat, in both Basic and Mando’a. There is no cause for alarm. Please remain in your homes. You will be safe there. Normal service will be resumed shortly. Oya manda.

“I think our work here is done,” the doctor remarked. “Shall we see what’s going on outside?”

“Let’s.” Hel led the way out onto the balcony attached to Tor’s and her room. The view was spectacular – if one liked battles. Bo-Katan’s Mandalorians and jetpack-wearing clones – a mix of 104th, 212th and 501st, Hel thought, though it was hard to tell the last apart from Clan Kryze while they were all moving so fast – were fighting Maul’s loyalists in the skies above Sundari, and blaster fire lit up the streets below. Hel’s attention, though, was drawn to a knot of blue lightsabre blades a few blocks away. The two orbiting each other like stars in the most complicated system ever modelled had to be Master Kenobi’s and Anakin Skywalker’s; the pair moving in perfect unison, clearly wielded by the same person, looked to be Ahsoka Tano’s. Someone, probably Anakin, had changed their colour while she was away. And the darker blue one was Fives’, of course. Hel couldn’t see Master Koon’s single blade anywhere, but where the Wolfpack were, their alpha wouldn’t be far ahead.

Hel activated the comm in her vambrace, tuning it to Master Kenobi’s channel. (She’d use her headset once she joined the battle, but the others couldn't hear it.) “Recon team awaiting orders.”

“I’m very glad to hear it.” As expected, there was plenty of blaster fire in the background, some deflected by sabres, and the occasional explosion. “We’d like you three to join us as soon as possible. Can you see where we are from there?”

“Perfectly. ETA ten minutes.” Hel signed off and looked at Torrent and Mij. “You two take the high road; I’ll take the slightly lower road.”

“And you’ll probably be at the RV before us.” Torrent knew the song she was misquoting. “Ready when you are, general.”

Once Mij had concurred, there was no point wasting any more time. Nor did Hel give herself time to think before stepping up onto the top of the balcony railing and jumping to the roof of the building across the street, a leap that would have been impossible without the Force. She just let herself enjoy the race, sprinting, sliding, clambering across the trickier obstacles – and occasionally dodging blaster fire, which wasn’t usually a hazard back on Coruscant. The others kept up with her pretty well, despite Torrent’s being a little rusty with respect to the use of a jetpack and the odd airborne skirmish that crossed their path, but she was still the first one to reach the ground at the rendezvous point – the Peace Park, of all places.

Close to, she could see that the combatants were more spread out than she had initially thought, a mixture of Bo-Katan’s loyalists and 212th and 501st clones holding off Maul’s forces at multiple entrances to the (mercifully seemingly unharmed) park. Quite a mixture. Hel had read up on the various Mandalorian factions beforehand; she spotted Bo-Katan’s Nite Owls, Clan Kryze and Clan Wren prominent among them, the Protectors of Concord Dawn and a fair few others – Ka’ra, were those Children of the Watch? How in blazes had Bo-Katan managed that? They made Death Watch look positively liberal. Mij greeted some of the apparently independent fighters by name, including Skirata and Vau, whom Hel knew to be members of the Cuy’val Dar and trainers of the first generations of clones. Among the decent or somewhat decent ones. All of them were fighting side by side with volunteers from two of the best battalions in the Grand Army of the Republic.

(All the vode there were volunteers, Hel knew; things had changed since the last Chancellor’s fall from grace. While major military operations still needed Senate approval, the fine details were left officially to the Jedi, and unofficially to a committee composed of equal numbers of Jedi and clones, mostly but not entirely Council members and CCs. Everyone had an equal voice and an equal vote, except for Commander Cody, who had eventually been prevailed upon to accept the casting vote as well. The result was a far more democratic army, less efficient perhaps, but soon to be phased out in any case.)

“Me’vaar ti gar?,” Hel asked Kenobi without thinking, her lightsabres already arcs of turquoise and blue in the darkness, batting away incoming fire. (Not all of it from the enemy; a few allies didn’t react to her arrival in time to avoid her.) He, Anakin and their respective seconds-in-command, Cody and Captain Rex, were, predictably, in the thick of the fiercest battle along with Bo-Katan and a number of other Mandalorians and clones. On her way there, Hel had seen her own unit, Lightning Squadron, now reunited with Torrent, embedded with the Mando’ade and other vode guarding another potential entry point, and Ahsoka and Lieutenant Jesse helping to protect a third; all three groups were holding their own, and slowly gaining ground, especially with the three new additions to their number. (Mij had chosen to reinforce Ahsoka’s group.)

“The program worked perfectly, but Maul’s forces mobilised a little more quickly than we anticipated. The 104th and some of Bo-Katan’s fighters are creating a perimeter around the city centre and clearing out any opposition soldiers in the suburbs, while we make for the Mand’alor’s residence and capture Maul. And by the way, I know undercover work can be difficult, but please try not to go completely native.” Master Kenobi knew what he was talking about, Hel was well aware. He’d faked his own death for an undercover assignment, which hadn’t gone down well with Anakin.

“There are worse fates,” she shot back. “The drink here isn’t bad, and I’m getting used to the food.” Mandalorian black ale was good, in moderation, but she was finding the cuisine an acquired taste. It tended to bite back. “What’s so funny?” That was to Anakin, now smiling as at something amusing.

“Just thinking of the little mouse I used to spar with, who wouldn’t say two words she didn’t have to.” He was describing her twelve-year-old self, who would never have been so forward to a Council member. “You’ve really grown up.”

“Happens to us all.” Hel used the Force to send a grenade sailing away, imagining that she was just punching a thrown rubber ball (a standard accuracy drill for Alban children). “Well, most of us.”

“Fair point. Anyway, a few commando squads are here as well, tasked with taking down major military assets – the armoury, the security centre and so on. Delta, Omega and the Bad Batch.”

“Stars! Scorch, Darman and Wrecker on one mission? Stand by for fireworks!” Hel had worked with all three units before, and had a healthy respect for them – especially the demo men.

There wasn’t time for much more discussion. The opposition line had started to buckle under the increased pressure, and the alliance had to drive its advantage home. Which it duly did, until all the Mauldalorians were unconscious, too badly wounded to pose a threat or gone.

The other groups had met with similar success by that point and were ready to press on, but Bo-Katan wanted to be sure they wouldn’t be ambushed on the way to their goal. Hel had thought of that over the previous few days, and reeled off the details of a couple of likely opposition staging posts and the best places to set up defensive lines between them and the alliance’s quickest and safest route to their destination. She’d noted them down while pretending to be a normal tourist, without even thinking about it. She was becoming a soldier in truth as well as in name, and the thought alarmed her.

Bo-Katan didn’t argue with Hel’s advice (presumably she wasn’t as familiar with Sundari, or at least with Sundari under Maul’s rule), but designated two squads from her own men and women to do as she said. Each would be reinforced by a clone detachment, one led by Anakin and Rex, the other by Ahsoka and Jesse. Precautions taken, the motley army set off, alert for any and all surprises. It wasn’t even the right time to catch up properly with the rest of Lightning Squadron, though Hel did manage to comment on Echo’s new armour – designed to account for the injuries he had sustained at the Citadel and the legacy of his subsequent captivity, but still recognisably a 501st shell – before Bo-Katan glared at her for getting distracted. Hel gave almost as good as she got.

“I didn’t know jetiise could have mandokar,” one of Bo-Katan’s lieutenants commented in Hel’s ear. Her armour and Nite Owl helmet were painted grey and yellow, Clan Wren’s colours, and the way the woman carried herself – and fought – suggested high rank. Almost certainly the clan leader, Countess Ursa Wren. Hel remembered her from her Mandalorian intel file – a long-term ally of Bo-Katan, and a staunch supporter of Death Watch until Maul’s takeover, but married to a New Mandalorian artist named Alrich, who had taken his wife’s clan name (as Torrent had). They had a two-year-old daughter, Sabine, safe at the clan holdings on Krownest. No wonder Ursa had fought so fiercely earlier. She had a great deal to lose if the invasion failed.

“Your sample size isn’t big enough, then.” Hel acknowledged the compliment with a smile. “Given the variation within the Order, that’s not surprising.” It didn’t help that Hel was at least two standard deviations from the mean in many respects. When most people thought of Jedi, they imagined a calm, tranquil, inhumanly graceful being, remote, emotionless, a wielder of awesome powers, an artist with a laser sword. Not a creature made of fire and steel, as gifted with her fists and boots as with her sabre, who loved fiercely and recklessly but would break her own heart to do her duty, who struggled to lift a stone but could sense the cosmos around her in remarkable detail. Who climbed almost as well as a Suli high-wire walker, schemed like a Ketterdam gang leader and could probably beat a Ravkan Grisha, a Fjerdan drüskelle or a Shu khergud in single combat. Not that Hel ever wanted to test that.

That conversation, too, had to be cut short. Maul’s ground forces had apparently fallen back, but his snipers hadn’t. At least two of them opened fire on the advancing invaders; most of their shots missed completely, but Hel saw a vod from the 212th – she made a mental note to learn his name as soon as possible – fall back, clutching his wounded arm and probably cursing, blood already seeping between his fingers. Another round barrelled towards Hel’s head; recognising the sound of the snipers’ guns, she deflected it with her vambrace, not a sabre. Which was just as well. What had just ruined the paintwork on the piece of Torrent’s old armour clearly wasn’t a laser, but a lead bullet.

“Slugthrowers!,” she called out, cursing herself for not foreseeing that move. “Get to cover!”

The men and women around and behind her scattered, diving for whatever shelter they could find. Most of them made it unscathed, and most of the rest could be fixed up on the spot. Hel couldn’t let herself think about the others yet. As Master Kenobi warned the other units about the new threat (Maul would surely have other snipers around the city), she did her best to trace the incoming fire back to its origin, looking for the gunners. She wasn’t the only one – Fives and Echo were doing the same thing either side of her, as were some of the Mandalorians – but the snipers were well hidden. Getting past them was going to be tricky.

“Are you all right?” Torrent, having finished tending to the more seriously wounded, had joined the rest of the squad. Hel could picture his concerned expression behind his helmet. They had encountered slugthrowers before; she still had the scar.

“A bit bruised, but otherwise fine. The vambrace held.” The skin below it already ached, but was intact. That had only been a glancing blow, though. While the other clones’ plastoid armour might stand up to a direct hit, and the Mandalorians’ and Torrent’s beskar definitely would, the impact trauma underneath would not be pretty. And lightsabres were no use against slugthrowers. In the best-case scenario, they might slow and deflect the bullets; in the worst-case one, they would fill the air with vaporised lead. Not something anyone should be breathing.

“Thank you for the warning.” Master Koon sounded as calm as ever over the comms, despite the rifle fire in the background. More slugthrowers. “I believe we have encountered similar opposition here.”

Hel had also heard a very familiar, though faint, voice behind the Jedi Master. On a hunch, she tuned her headset to one of the Wolfpack’s internal frequencies. Sure enough, Captain Keeli was shouting at his medic partner Nuts, telling him to come down from there, di’kut, you’re crazy, all right, crazier, it’s not worth the risk… Hel smiled to herself. Nuts was almost as good a sniper as he was a medic, and had access to commando-level gear, but his real talent was for causing chaos. His name – bestowed by Keeli – didn’t just refer to his liking for warru nuts. And he usually got away with his antics, on the battlefield or off. Hel heard a single blaster-rifle stun-shot, and one of the slugthrowers fell silent.

She retuned her headset to the general channel just as Commander Wolffe reported that, “We’ve taken out one of their snipers, but don’t have a line of sight on any of the others.”

“It’s progress,” Hel reassured him. “Tell Nuts to get his shebs back down to safety sharpish. Just because you can’t see a sniper, it doesn’t mean they can’t see you.”

“Oh, Keeli’s ahead of you there.” The commander was almost laughing. “How did you know it was Nuts?”

“Who else would it be?” Without waiting for Wolffe to answer her mostly rhetorical question, Hel asked, “Crosshair, any luck your end?”

“Working on it.” The Bad Batch’s sniper sounded as calm as ever. Somehow.

“I’ll take that as a no. Sev?”

“Likewise,” was all Delta’s long gunner had to say. Neither Bo-Katan’s snipers nor Cody’s had had any luck, either. Master Kenobi was still studying the situation. “Helli, how easy is it to deflect bullets with the Force?”

“Doable, but far from trivial.” As Kenobi knew, Hel had done it herself, on an unofficial mission to Arkanis; it had taken all her focus and so much effort that she’d fallen asleep straight afterwards. “It looks like our best option, though.”

“No, it isn’t,” Spark countered. He activated his own comm. “Tech, is everything ready?”

“Technically, but I would prefer to have more time to test-”

“I know, vod, but there isn’t time. This’ll have to be the test. Switch on as soon as you can.” Time was running out, Hel knew all too well; every minute they wasted, Maul’s army could be regrouping, and Maul himself could be getting away. She realised that as far as he was concerned, locking down the sewers had been pointless. He could just cut his way in. They were gambling on his obsession with Kenobi keeping him in the city. She decided she liked those odds, but had seen better.

“Affirmative. Switching on.” Hel heard an electrical hum (as well as a worried-sounding GNK), increasing in volume, in the background of Tech’s transmission. As it stabilised, the slugthrowers stopped firing – not just the ones pinning their group in place, but others all around the city.

“It seems we have a clear run, at least to the next nasty surprise,” Bo-Katan said. “On to the palace, then. Ib’tuur jatne tuur ash’ad kyr’amur.”

“Ib’tuur jatne tuur naasade kyr’amur,” Hel almost agreed. Today is a good day for nobody to die.

“Okeyday, what have you and Tech been up to?,” she added to Spark as they moved on, blessedly and no doubt temporarily unhindered. (Crosshair, Sev and maybe Nuts had probably had something to do with that.)

“Believe it or not, you’re not the only one around here who does their homework. I read up on the last war between the Jedi and the Mandalorians, trying to figure out what sort of weapons we’d be up against. Slugthrowers were pretty popular, for obvious reasons. I know lightsabres are useless against them, but I remembered the Doctor jamming the ones on Arkanis, and I… might have overheard her telling you how to contact her. I gave her a call – she and Yaz send their congratulations, by the way – she explained the basic principles of a cordolaine signal, and from there it was just a question of roping in a few friends – Tech, Atin, Fixer, Yara from Halo, Crys from the 212th, a couple of others – and turning theory into reality. I’m afraid I had to use your clearance to requisition the parts we needed, but it’s all on Palpatine’s account – Yara managed to unfreeze enough of it. He’s a good kid, but his curiosity knows no bounds.”

“As that’s just saved I don’t know how many lives, I’m hardly about to complain. By the way, just how many all-nighters did you lot have to pull to get your contraption ready in time?”

Spark probably looked sheepish under his helmet. “One or two.” The sheepishness was short-lived. “While you’re a model of good practice.” His words dripped sarcasm.

“Fair point.” She really wasn’t, though proper all-nighters were rare for her. Her vode saw to that.

They lapsed into companionable silence, everyone alert for surprise attacks. Of which there were none, right up until their goal was in sight. One minute, all seemed clear; the next, there were Mauldalorians everywhere. If the Force hadn’t shouted a warning in Hel’s ear, and she hadn’t passed the message on, just in time, things would have been even worse. As it was, an ordered advance had suddenly become a complete and utter mêlée.

In the confined space of a city street, the fighting was not just fierce but concentrated. Hel didn’t have room to use her sabres a lot of the time, falling back on her fists, boots and knife, finding nerve clusters, major blood vessels to compress, tendons she could cut without doing any other damage (she’d learned well from Mij). Her vod’ikase flanked her in their usual formation (with Echo in his old position for the first time in months), moving as one as they cut a swathe through the press of bodies, stunning anyone in the wrong armour. (The rest of the alliance was also using stun-bolts where practical; minimal casualties had been one of the Jedi’s conditions when they agreed to help Bo-Katan.) The would-be Mand’alor and Ursa, fighting side by side, kept pace with them, as did Kenobi and Cody, complementing one another perfectly. Kar’ta’vode, Hel thought, finally able to categorise their relationship. Heart-brothers.

“We have to keep going,” Kenobi said as they reached the other side of the battle. His tone was Jedi-neutral, but Hel could sense how much it pained him to have to leave his and Anakin’s men behind. It hurt her almost as much, but she knew why even before he put the reason into words. “The sooner we capture Maul, the sooner this is all over.”

Nobody argued with that. Partly because they had to save their breath for the guards at each door that lay between them and the former Sith. Hel, as ever, tried diplomacy first when they reached the outer entrance. Her own brand, tailored to the situation. “I suppose you two would rather die than betray your Mand’alor?”

“Of course.” The guards spoke almost as one.

Hel looked briefly at Bo-Katan, who seemed to have cottoned on, and had drawn herself up to her full height, glaring regally at the guards through her visor. “Then let her in.”

“Lord Maul is our ruler,” one of the guards shot back. “And you’re all traitors.” He and his colleague drew their blasters.

“Well, it was worth a try,” Kenobi remarked when the men lay unconscious, having neither died for their false Mand’alor nor betrayed him. “But we can’t waste any more time trying that again.”

With Cody and Ursa left behind on guard, the rest of the party carried on. The Mand’alor’s residence was designed to channel any attacker making for the throne room through three sets of doors (not counting the outer pair), each of which was barred by two sentries. The first such pair put up a pretty decent fight – good enough that one of them had time to send an alert to his comrades before being stunned.

“You two had better stay here,” Hel told Torrent and Spark. “And I expect to find you in one living piece each when we’re done. Especially you.” She gave her riduur a somewhat inappropriate smile. “Preferably a good-looking piece.”

“You will, and I expect the same of you.” Torrent, ignoring protocol and an exasperated Bo-Katan, pulled her in for the quickest of hugs and keldabes. “K’oyacyi, cyar’ika.”

“K’oyacyi, ner cyare.” Aware that they were on the clock, Hel broke away and turned back to the others. The next set of guards went down about as easily as their comrades, and were replaced by Fives and Echo. And not even the ones on duty right outside the Mand’alor’s throne room could stand against two talented Jedi and a high-ranking Mandalorian. Kenobi insisted on facing his old adversary alone, at least at first, leaving the women to hold the door against any reinforcements while he confronted the young spider lounging at the centre of a web partly of another’s weaving.

It was the right call. The door had hardly shut on Maul’s whispered greeting – if one could call “Kenobi” a greeting – when Hel heard running footsteps and the clank of beskar’gam. “Incoming.”

“You block, I’ll shoot.” Bo-Katan had barely holstered her pistols since the invasion had begun.

“Fair enough.” The Mandalorian and the Jedi soon proved to be a near-deadly combination even by themselves. Nobody even got within two metres of them without being stunned or hit by a deflected laser from a comrade’s blaster, and subsequently sedated. But there had been enough counter-attackers for Hel to have grown uneasy about Master Kenobi in the time it took to subdue them.

With Bo-Katan keeping watch, she eased open the door to the throne room. As expected, the long-term opponents were duelling once again. It was an unnervingly evenly matched fight. Kenobi was more skilled, and far more focused, despite the memories that room surely held for him. (Hel was certain that Duchess Satine, the love of Kenobi’s life, had been murdered there in front of her cyare. The fierce, kind, clever, passionate woman’s presence lingered in that place even more strongly than it did around her beloved Jedi.) But Maul hadn’t just been through at least two battles and a few skirmishes, and he was fuelled by rage and the desire for revenge. It could go either way.

And neither is right, Hel realised. If Maul won, that would severely damage the invasion’s prospects of success, and rob the galaxy of a brilliant Jedi and a good man. But if Kenobi won – Hel knew enough about Mandalorian law and customs to work out how that would end. Not well. Why had nobody seen that before?

As she racked her brains for a third way, her eye fell on an object in a glass case beside the throne. Interesting… Almost as soon as she reached out to it through the Force, she knew what she had to do.

She sheathed her own sabre and held it out to Bo-Katan. “You have to be the one to defeat Maul. This is your fight; you have to finish it.”

Bo-Katan’s body language indicated utter bemusement. Hel sighed, and bit back a rather colourful Gungan curse-word. (Another unusual thing about her; she could, if she so chose, swear in more languages and dialects than most Jedi spoke.) “Look. To many Mandalorians, the one who wields the Darksabre is the Mand’alor, right? And it can only be won in combat. Whoever next defeats Maul will, to a lot of people, take his place. That should be you, as the legal ruler, and it can’t be a Jedi. That really would cause problems, and make this whole mess even worse.”

Bo-Katan still wasn’t convinced, so Hel pressed on. “Besides, Maul isn’t using the Darksabre, even though it would give him a significant advantage. He’s skilled enough to use it alongside his own blades, but he isn’t. I don’t think he can. I don’t think it’s chosen him.”

“Chosen him?” The concept didn’t make sense to the Mando’ad, but to the jetii it was suddenly obvious.

“Our sabres aren’t just weapons. In a sense, they’re alive. And the Darksabre is no different. In all the centuries people have been fighting over it, do you think anyone’s stopped to ask it what it wants?”

“And what do you think it wants?”

“I don’t have to think. It just told me. It wants an end. It was a Jedi’s weapon originally, remember, forged to protect and bring peace. It wants the killing to stop, and it wants to rest. I doubt it chose Vizla; it may have chosen Satine, but she can’t wield it now. I believe it’s chosen you – a warrior open to the idea of change.” Hel offered her own lightsabre again. “So win the blade properly, and end this.”

Bo-Katan took the weapon, slowly and carefully, weighing it in her hand, familiarising herself with the controls. “Will you be all right, if more reinforcements arrive?”

“I’ll be fine. I’m never really unarmed.” Hel drew Nahdar’s sabre and her knife. Bo-Katan was probably smiling. “You’d make a good Mandalorian.”

“That I doubt, but thank you. I can’t honestly say you’d make a good Jedi, but I think you’ll be a good Mand’alor – if you get on with what you have to do.”

Bo-Katan took the hint, darting through the still-open doors to the throne room, where the two combatants had reached a stalemate, blades locked together. Hel watched, senses alert for any ambushes from behind, as the other woman challenged the pretender to her throne, and as Maul accepted the challenge, using the Force to throw Kenobi across the room. The Jedi’s head hit the wall with a nasty-sounding thud (though, mercifully, not a crack), and he fell to the floor, totally still.

Maul was too focused on his new opponent (who, Hel absently noted, had adopted not the Soresu opening stance Kenobi favoured, but her own favourite, a textbook Niman one, which she hadn’t used that day; her sabre must be teaching its new wielder) to notice the young woman climbing along the walls to reach her ori’vod. Her medical scanner informed her that the head injury was serious, but no permanent damage had yet been done; she used the last of her bacta spray to maintain that state of affairs. There were several other wounds all over his body, but nothing that needed urgent treatment – thank goodness. She just had to wait for him to wake up.

Which he did less than a minute later, his eyes focusing first on her, then on the battle in the centre of the room. Against all odds, Bo-Katan was winning, using the weapons hidden in her armour as well as Hel’s sabre, but Maul was fighting back well. “Helli, what have you done now?”

“What I had to do. If you’d claimed the Darksabre, even unintentionally, Bo-Katan’s support would have splintered, and who knows what the Mauldalorians would do. This was the best way around that. How do you feel, by the way?”

“Like a military academy.” Hel’s heart rate spiked; was he more badly hurt than she’d thought? “Bits of me keep passing out.”

She managed to laugh at the weak joke. He was going to be all right – probably. “Well, do you think you can stop everything graduating at once? I need to monitor your condition.”

“I’ll do my best.” He contrived to sit up, leaning against the wall, to watch the duel. Bo-Katan really was doing well, using the rage Hel could sense rolling off her – she was fighting her sister’s killer, after all – without letting it control her. It must have helped that Maul was tired and injured from his fight with Kenobi, his legs sparking, a burn mark on one arm, his movements slower and jerkier than before, while Bo-Katan had had just enough time to rest and treat her wounds since the previous battle. And she had tricks up her sleeve – literally. As the Jedi watched, a grappling line from Bo-Katan’s vambrace wrapped around Maul, pinning his arms to his sides and pulling him to his metal knees. His vanquisher raised Hel’s sabre to end the fight – and his life.

“Don’t!” Hel was on her feet in a heartbeat. “Stun him with my blessing, but don’t kill him.”

“Why not?” Bo-Katan didn’t lower the blade, but she didn’t strike, either. “Because there’s still hope for him?”

“That, and my lightsabre will probably shock you if you try. It is mine, after all. And you’re wearing an awful lot of metal.” Bo-Katan accepted that, handed the weapon back to its owner and gave the grappling line a vicious tug. “Get up.”

Whatever Maul intended to say to that was cut off when Hel tied a bandage from her med-kit around his mouth. As Kenobi cuffed him, just to be on the safe side, she headed over to the Darksabre and examined its case. The locking mechanism looked pretty complicated, but there was a slight crack between the lid and one side. She inserted her sgian dubh into the crack and twisted it, popping the lid right off.

“That’s one way to do it,” Kenobi remarked. He reached into the case and withdrew the beskar lightsabre hilt, holding it out to Bo-Katan. “Yours, I believe.”

Hel wished she could see Bo-Katan’s face as she took the ancient weapon. She could guess the expression on it, though – triumph, shot through with sorrow. Her sister had died by that blade. But Bo-Katan was one large step closer to giving Satine and many others the justice they deserved.

The new Mand’alor led the way out of the palace, her captive in tow, her allies trailing behind, the soldiers they had left on guard falling into step with them along the route. When the procession emerged into the grey light before dawn and Bo-Katan ignited the Darksabre, holding it aloft for all to see, the still-ongoing battle stopped as though a spell had been cast. Every Mandalorian fell to his or her knees, followed by the clones; Anakin and Ahsoka, whose units had reinforced the main contingent, bowed low.

“Oya manda!,” Bo-Katan called. There is no direct translation of that phrase into Basic, but it expresses Mandalorian solidarity and endurance. A fitting cry for the end of a civil war.

“Oya manda!,” a host of voices, Mandalorian, clone, even Jedi, called back. Hel’s hand automatically found Torrent’s, her sunburst of a smile echoing his armour paint. They had done it. Yes, there was still a lot of work to do, but for one shining moment, they could enjoy the fact that Mandalore was truly at peace.

---

Mando'a glossary:

Riduur(e): spouse(s).

Cin vhetin: literally, white field; colloquially refers to adoption into a Mandalorian clan (regarded as a fresh start, a clean slate).

Beskar'gam: armour, especially Mandalorian steel armour.

Kute: undergarments of any kind (including the body glove under armour).

Ka'ra: stars; mythical council of fallen rulers.

Vod(e): brother(s), sister(s), sibling(s); often refers to clones (and honorary clones). 'Ika is an affectionate diminutive.

Me'vaar ti gar?: what's new with you? What's the situation?

Mando'ad(e): Mandalorian(s).

Jetii(se): Jedi (singular/plural).

Mandokar: "the *right stuff*, the epitome of Mando virtue - a blend of aggression, tenacity, loyalty and a lust for life" (from mandoa.org).

Di'kut: idiot (lit. without underclothes).

Shebs: rear (in any sense).

Ib'tuur jatne tuur ash'ad kyr'amur: today is a good day for someone else to die. (To quote mandoa.org again, "Mando saying (because they're not daft...)"; here on Terra, this was originally a Sioux/Lacotah war cry. Not Klingon.)

K'oyacyi: literally, "stay alive"; colloquial meanings include "cheers", "hang in there" and, as here, "come back safely".

Cyar'ika: darling, sweetheart.

Ner cyare: my love. (Cyare means beloved.)

More Grishaverse references worked their way in; in the books, Grisha are people who can manipulate certain types of matter (their equivalents here are probably some sort of Force-sensitive or magick user), and druskelle and khergud are Grisha hunters - the former are "just" highly trained humans, while the latter have been artificially altered, cyborg-style.

Any and all comments are always welcome.

[stonefreeak]

My goodness people, I’m so sorry for the delay! I’ve been working on the structuring of my files to get a better overview of what remains of the project, to hopefully be able to speed writing up (even as work really means that my free-time is much more limited than it was once upon a time, lmao. Sometimes I miss December of 2016 when this whole thing started, 33k in a month of updates, amirite?)

it’s taken me so long I’m wondering if anyone even remember this plot point at this point, lmao

Also: belated happy midsummers to all my fellow Swedes!

Bail taps his finger against this desk and stairs unseeingly at the datapad in front of him.

He hadn't been sure if the information Aleena Yashi gave him, though she's worked as an assistant to multiple senators over the years, was true. But everything checks out. He briefly wondered why she would come to him about it, rather than Senator Lobos who she's currently working for... But perhaps it's because he's known to have a favourable view of the Jedi that she's done so. Perhaps it's because all of this information mostly pertains to the Jedi and the laws surrounding them, and she wanted a prominent Senator who she could trust not to hide the information away because they don't care for the Jedi.

Bail, a Core World Senator well known for his good relationship with the Jedi and friendship with the current Supreme Chancellor, must have seemed like the best option for her. He wonders who else would have been on her list, before she settled on him, but he chose not to ask when she visited him. Perhaps it's better if he doesn't know; it hardly matters now anyway.

He looks down at the datapad again and considers his options.

He should probably discuss her findings with her, and see what exactly her goal is. If he's to do something about this, then he wants her involved even as he gathers support from other senators.

He has no doubt that Padmé will agree to add her support to Bail to help sort this mess out, but considering that they've both been involved with the investigation they're conducting into Jedi missions being altered... Well, Bail wants more Senators involved this time. Just to ensure that it cannot be taken as some form of conspiracy in favour of the Jedi. As ridiculous as that notion seems, Bail is not blind to the way many Senators look at the Jedi, nor to the fact that many of them don't seem to believe that they're really capable of what they say they are.

Few people besides the Jedi truly believe in the Force, after all.

Few people could believe in something they cannot know for themselves when others supposedly have a direct connection to it. Bail is one of the few who does believe them, he's seen what the Jedi can do first-hand. There's nothing else that can account for that kind of power besides this Force they talk of. They and other groups out there, it’s not only the Jedi, after all.

Besides, he knows many of them personally, and while Bail may not understand or follow all of their beliefs or traditions, he also knows that they're not a bunch of charlatans faking it for power of money—though he knows some of his fellow senators believe that to be the case. Even senators on Coruscant, who've seen Jedi in real life, seem to believe them little more than myth.

Bail has been kept up to date on the investigation into the Jedi missions, though he’s not taking an active role in it right now, and he’s certain that he has been kept in the loop to give legitimacy to the investigation. Give it a proper paper trail, even if it’s done with the Senate’s highest level of security. A strictly need-to-know basis, and until it’s finished, no one else needs to know.

Of course, Bail asked Obi-Wan in private if he would be allowed to tell Breha. As his Queen and the leader of Bail’s planet, he found it important to clue her in on it. Besides, it’s another step of legitimacy. After all, if Breha takes an active stance on it, then so does Alderaan.

If anyone wants to accuse the investigation at a later date for being a sham… Well, they will need to accuse Alderaan of engaging in it in the first place. Bail isn’t stupid enough to think that it’s not one of the primary reasons Obi-Wan agreed with Bail’s request.

They’re friends, and Obi-Wan likes Breha, but this is not about being friends. This is about political allyship and keeping sensitive information on as tight a lock-down as they can until the time  to reveal it comes.

Besides, as worried as Bail has become with Miss Yashi’s information, it’s even worse when considered together with the altered Jedi missions and not in the least… Well, the war time propaganda. There's no point in shying away from what it is, and the ramifications it has.

Considering how most of the war time propaganda—Bail can acknowledge it for what it is, there truly is no point in trying to deny the facts—focuses almost exclusively on the clones and their efforts in the war, it's hardly strange that the general population neither know nor understand them.

Further considering the information that Bail has now confirmed to be real and accurate... He understands that the omission of the Jedi is entirely deliberate. If you want to discredit and undermine the Jedi, why would you ever speak of their accomplishments and sacrifices? You wouldn't, as that would bring public support to them.

Bail sighs and rolls his shoulders.

He needs to build a following, he cannot properly push this alone. But he also understands why Miss Yashi brought it to him alone, first. A Core World Senator is far harder to make "disappear" than a Twi'lek Senatorial aide, no matter how awful that is to say. Bail can't go missing, and any attempt on his life would have a bit more trouble hitting its mark.

That's not to say that it would be impossible for someone to assassinate him, which is of course why he'll make sure that Breha is entirely up to speed on everything.

All of it together... There is some form of conspiracy to discredit or perhaps even get rid of the Jedi; Bail is sure of it. But he cannot see to what end. What are they trying to achieve?

For what reason would anyone work to discredit the Jedi? What is the end goal to strive for? There’s no way for the politicians to dissolve the Jedi Order, they are not in that way under Senate control. They could, of course, remove all of their backing, forcing the Jedi to become free agents, certainly…

But for what purpose? It would leave the Republic without the Jedi as peacekeepers, for the Jedi would hardly remain to do diplomacy work for the Senate without its backing. After all, what would the point be? Without the Senate’s backing, the Jedi would have far less ability to do anything.

How could they negotiate treaties if the Senate won’t honour them?

They could, perhaps, be a neutral third party within discussions. But there’s no reason for anyone to listen to their input in such a case. It’s hard enough to get disagreeing parties to listen to external input when you come with powerful backing that could make you listen even if you refuse.

How could they function with no funding? They would need to work on commission, at which point only those who can afford their help can get it. That would be the opposite of an improvement.

To not even begin to talk about how few of them there are, how few of them there were even before the war. Their population is not even a hundredth of a percent of Alderaan’s population, and Alderaan is only a single planet within the tens of thousands of star systems that make up the Republic—nevermind the entire galaxy. There’s just not enough of them, and hasn’t that always been a problem even while they’re working under the Republic? Too few, spread too thin.

No, if the Jedi became free agents, their ability to affect change would be greatly diminished. Bail is quite certain they’d work on much smaller scales, still trying to do what they can for the galaxy, bit by bit. Working with smaller communities on planets and moons… If they even had the ability to find out about disputes that may need their help in the first place.

Losing the Jedi as peacekeepers isn’t a win for the Republic either, as the budget for the Jedi was already miniscule even before it started being diminished—as Miss Yashi’s discovery shows. It cannot be an attempt at cost saving, or an idea of improvement for the Republic. Needing to train their own diplomats and ensure that they have skilled enough guards… That would be more expensive and it would not be able to guarantee that these diplomats are neutral in conflicts.

The Jedi have no specific allegiances the way diplomats and even Senators have. Even the least corrupt Senator will still place their own planet and star system first. It is part of their role, after all.

So no, it cannot be something like that. Not unless the people slowly enacting this are horribly misguided and foolish. Not to mention, Bail knows most Senators would simply call for making away with the Jedi entirely, rather than this slow plan to undercut them.

No… There must be something else going on here, some other primary goal whoever is pulling these strings is looking out to do.

He’ll need to figure it out, no doubt, Bail concludes.

But beyond that, he also needs to build a base to help him bring this information he’s been given to the Senate’s attention. He is quite sure already who he should be looking towards first: Senator Ach’ki Mandai of Haa’ndu.

Who better to help him bring this to Senate attention than the Senator who ensured a Jedi now sits as the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic?

—

(Supreme Chancellor Obi-Wan Kenobi masterpost)

[phoenixyfriend]

Rex and Anakin Raise a Family: Part Two

Part One

------------------

Anakin takes the news with... not grace, really, but an odd sort of resignation.

"Room to fix things," he mutters to himself, eyes set unseeing on Luke's tiny form.

Twins are often born smaller than single births, Rex remembers hearing somewhere. He hopes that's the only reason these two are so small. Leia feels absolutely minuscule in his arms.

He wishes he could ask Kix.

"Do you want to find Jango?"

Rex lifts his head to find Anakin staring at him with an earnest kind of depression. It's strange, and sad, and not helping with the question. "What?"

"You... you grew up with a lot of family," Anakin mutters, eyes cutting away to the side. "Fett would be a kid right now, yeah? He's... young. And you don't have the family that you used to have, but--"

"I'm not going to go out and find Fett to adopt him," Rex says firmly. "He was a genetic donor and once or twice a teacher. I have no interest in forming any bonds there."

He hesitates, but that was--Anakin was trying. Not succeeding, but trying. "Thank you for asking. It's... maybe if my childhood had been a little different, I'd have wanted that. But I don't, here."

Anakin winces. "Right."

Rex watches his general bounce a newborn, and thinks this is my life now.

There is no GAR to fight for, no brothers to save, no Empire to fight against. They'd thought there would be, but there isn't, not yet. They could find and warn the Jedi, but none of them would know Anakin. Nobody is going to look at Rex and see a clone. He's older than Fett, now.

"We're staying here," Rex decides. Anakin looks up from Luke's little face. "I'll figure out how to get us some Republic Idents. We'll get the twins registered. This planet is safe and out of the way, and we can figure something out for the money. You're a good mechanic, that's honest work, and I'm... I don't know. We've got a ship, so I can maybe do what Fett did and take bounty work. We'll figure something out."

"I can't ask you to stay with me."

"You're not asking," Rex says firmly. "I'm telling you. You don't get to push me away, sir. We're all the other has left, and you're not getting rid of me that easily."

"Okay," Anakin says. "If that's what you want."

------------------

They don't have a whole lot of money personally, but this was Padme's ship. She'd been rich, and prone enough to danger to know the worth of hiding money where she could. They may not have more than a few weapons on here, but they have money.

For now.

Rex knows his general is itching to go to Tatooine, sees the man muttering and twitching about it, needing to do something, and that the something has to do with Tatooine.

"Can it wait?" Rex asks.

Anakin stares at him, uncomprehending.

"Your kids are only a week old," Rex tries to explain. "They need you right now. Is this something that can wait a few months, where I can watch them while you take a week or two to handle what you need to do?"

Anakin takes Leia from Rex, and doesn't bring it up again.

------------------

Rex goes with Anakin, when they visit the nurse. He catches gossip about the two of them, but people don't go out of their way to approach. Mostly, people are just repeating the 'died in childbirth' cover that he gave before, telling each other who the strangers are, and why they shouldn't try to get involved.

The nurse asks only enough questions to get a medical baseline established for the twins. Anakin doesn't volunteer much, and when the Twi'lek woman asks if they'd like her to set up medical files for either of them, Rex has to immediately decline.

He has no idea what his blood is going to turn up. Genetic fuckery and something to deal with the advanced aging, maybe. He's not sure he wants to know, but either way, it's probably not going to be something this small clinic can handle.

"I'll have to set one up if you want to take the lactation aid," she tells Anakin.

"Yeah, okay."

She takes blood. Almost everything is mostly normal, except.

"Your midichlo--"

"I know."

"Are you--"

"Jedi aren't allowed to marry."

She doesn't dig further, just glances at how Anakin's holding Luke, and nods.

"It doesn't seem like there are any complicating factors. I can write up a prescription right now and you should be able to get it filled same-day. There will be a list of instructions and side-effects on flimsi when you pick it up, but I'd like to go over it in person first. Do you want Mr. Torrent to stay here with you as we do that, or to wait in the hall?"

"Up to him."

"I'll stay," Rex promises.

------------------

Three pills a day, one with every meal. Tissue stimulation by massaging the pectoral area, and allowing the twins to suckle even before there's anything to actually drink. Expect soreness and increased appetite, don't drink caffeine or take any form of stimulant while nursing. Here's a list of possible side-effects, the best way to handle the minor ones, and which ones to contact a medical professional about.

All very normal.

Anakin's rarely ever done anything with less than his whole heart, and Rex isn't surprised to know that Anakin is this dedicated a parent as well. He's... he was proud to serve his general, but he thinks there's something just as fulfilling as being by his side here and now. There's something better about helping raise the little ones that would never be found on a battlefield.

"Do you want them to call you Uncle Rex?" Anakin asks during a feeding. "Or... ba'vodu? Or do you want to just..."

"Just what?"

"...we're going to be co-parenting," Anakin says, not meeting his eyes. "And every time I try to suggest you go and find something for yourself, something that doesn't revolve around me, a person you were literally tube-grown for, you say you don't want to leave. So if you're going to be sticking around, really staying for years and years... we could tell them to call you buir. If you want."

"Oh."

Oh.

It's a lot. It's something Rex has maybe fantasized about before, getting to be a parent instead of just a soldier, but he'd also resigned himself to the fact that it wasn't really an option. Even now, he'd just expected to be a friend of the father, maybe an honorary uncle if he was lucky, or--

"Are you sure?" Rex asks, before he can start to hope. "I don't--I don't want to take Padme's place."

"You're not," Anakin says, fierce as anything. "You won't--nobody can ever take her place, but there are people with five parents, or none, and I'm not going to--I don't want to--"

Anakin squeezes his eyes shut and breathes harshly for a few moments. Leia fusses, like she's seconds away from crying, and Rex watches as his general holds the child in his arms closer to his chest, visibly focusing on calming down in a way he rarely, if ever, had during the war.

"It's okay, Papa just got a little upset, it's fine, we're calm, I'm sorry I got sad, honey, I'm sorry you had to feel that," Anakin whispers under his breath as he bounces the baby.

(Raising Force-Sensitive children was never going to be easy anyway.)

"You're sure about this?" Rex asks again.

"You want to be involved in their lives," Anakin mutters. "So... yeah, you should get to be their dad in name, too. And if you use Mando'a, it'll be easier for them to have different names for us."

"People are going to think we're together."

Anakin shrugs. "People think a lot of things."

Rex wants this. He wants to imagine the twins toddling up to him, grins on their faces, calling him buir and meaning it. He wants to have what he saw at the Lawquane's, where a lack of blood connection and a half-sliced age hadn't stopped those children from claiming Cut as their father. He's only thirteen, technically, but he wants to have a family, even if it's as broken as what they've found here.

"I'd be honored, sir," Rex says. "I... thank you. I can't tell you how much this means to me."

"You don't have to," Anakin mutters, refusing to meet his eyes. "I can feel it."

Right.

"They already love you," Anakin continues, as if his goal today is to just smash Rex's decorum to pieces. "Part of that is just baby stuff, I think; they don't exactly know more than us yet, but you're around them all the time and are primary caregiver whenever I'm not... not okay. So they love you, so much, and I just... I'm not going to ignore that when you already love them too. So you should get to be their dad. If you want."

He does want.

"I'd like that," he says, and knows that he hasn't bothered shielding in days, so Anakin knows just how sincere that is.

Anakin hesitates, visibly so, and then stands and crosses the room to join Rex on the couch, each of them holding a twin.

A head rests lightly on Rex's shoulder. He lets it.

"There are rites," Anakin says quietly. "On Tatooine, for the slaves lost to the desert. People that died in search of their freedoms, where there's no body to bury but you still need to mourn."

Rex knows this. He says, "the clones had mourning traditions for the brothers who died in explosions or behind enemy lines, the ones we couldn't retrieve."

Anakin knows this as well. He nods.

They sit together, quietly, as calm as they can be for the too-perceptive children in their arms, and they know they need to mourn properly.

Rex can only hold his jagged edges in place for so long.

[padmeandaloysupremacy]

This was a story I was working on back then that I scrapped. It was essentially if Anakin was never found on Tatooine and stayed a slave. I revised multiple versions of it and it was to large of an idea for me to really pinpoint so I scrapped it. I may go back though and retry creating a new revised edition. Enjoy the little excerpt I still had saved. Obviously its an Anidala.

Padmé's pace quickened as she neared the entrance to her penthouse. Her body demanded her legs to walk faster, as her mind was nearly about to lose the battle of keeping her fists from colliding with the vast windows in the halls of 500 Republica as she passed them by.

Anyone walking her way would be able to see the absolute anger and disgust rolling off of her like waves. The sneer that seemed to be permanently etched on her porcelain skin. Her face scrunched up so tightly, someone could probably count the lines on her forehead.

This is not a woman you want to upset any further. 

The events played vividly in her mind like any HoloDrama she watched in her past-time. The events almost exactly enfolded like Padmé's favorite drama called Across The Stars, where in one of the scenes the grandfather whom she can relate Palpatine to, just stood by and watched as his granddaughter was killed by a vicious mob because he didn't support her marriage to a commoner. 

Padmé still remembers the remarks thrown around the conference room and the blatant disregard of the starving populace on the war-torn planet of Ryloth who were starting to run-out of their food reserves, while also having their power grid being severely diminished.

Instead the senators in the committee were too focused on what helping Ryloth could do to benefit their pockets and increase their coffers, that when they figured out helping Ryloth wouldn't gain them anything in the short and long run, they denied any war-time aid to the planet. That was the breaking point for Padmé.

She immediately went on an explosive but passionate tirade about the importance of the planet of Ryloth to the Republic, the morality of the situation, and how hypocritical the senators were being. Her statements in the end were all but ignored which pissed her off a great deal, but nothing pissed her off more than what the Senator of Malastre told her. 

"Senator Amidala, While your proposition sounds good and noble, it is a very naive approach to a more complicated solution." He brought his grimy hand to his wrinkly and grainy neck while sneering at her. "In fact, am I right to presume that Naboo was able to fend off the Trade Federation blockade without the support from the Republic, surely Ryloth could do the same?"

Padmé could only gape in response. She was in disbelief.

As Padmé pondered over that instance, she still remembered the look that the Senator of Malastre gave her after he said that. A look that made her seem like a stupid, naive child who had no business being in the committee to begin with. An idealist who says fancy and elaborate things without it ever having any meaning or substance. 

Oh how she wanted to wipe the smirk off his face and punch him into the ground and shove her hairpin through his neck and-----.

"Those insufferable pricks." Padmé hissed as she barged through the vast doors of her penthouse, looking just to plop down on her plush sofa while downing glasses of her rare Corellian red wine and sleeping all the stress away, like she always tends to do with situations like this.

As Padme stepped foot into her penthouse, her body suddenly stopped at the top of the steps. Something seemed to awaken her from her boiling tirade.

"What is that smell?" She wondered. It seemed to strike her right in the face as she walked in.

It actually smelled wonderful.

The entire suite was filled with different smells and aromas that seemed to fill her nostrils like running water in a basin.

She tried to focus on the smell, but it was too foreign for her to comprehend. It was something she never smelled before. It seemed rich, flavourful, spicy, and many other things that she couldn't precisely pin down, but she knew whatever it was, it definitely tasted good. She needed to investigate this.

As Padmé set her mind on her new task, she seemingly forgot about all the problems she dealt with earlier today. Which was good, because she was nearly on the verge of smashing a unique Aldeeraanian vase that Bail Organa gifted her exactly a year ago with her fist, just to blow off some steam.

As Padmé made it to the entrance to her vast kitchen where the smell seemed to permeate the air around her, she heard a muffled voice among the sounds of boiling and sizzling of the pots and pans. The voice seemed to be more deeper and masculine, a far cry from the voices of her loyal handmaidens. This fact alone sent Padmé into a frenzy.

Only her handmaidens should currently be in the penthouse at this current time. None of her royal guards should be stationed there, and even if they were, none of them would be in her kitchen of all places. Padmé knows perfectly well that Dormé and Moteé don't have such a deep voice, especially one very masculine in tone.

Her mind quickly wandered to Captain Typho, but then remembered that he is still on his way back from his short leave to Naboo. So there shouldn't be any male presence in her home, at this time.

No, this had to be a stranger, intruder to be more specific. So, Padmé did what anyone would do if they believed a stranger was in their home. She pulled out her weapon.

Not just any weapon.

Her blaster.

The one she used to fight off the droids and Trade Federation as they attacked her planet.

The weapon that saved her life countless times.

The one that will save her life today

With some new found motivation, she quickly rushed into the kitchen, blaster pointed and aimed at the back of the intruder's head, yelling, "Who the hell are you, and what are you doing in my kitchen."

The intruder, whoever he was, dropped the utensil he was holding and swiftly turned his body to face hers, in obvious fear and panic. As Padmé's eyes glanced over the intruder's face, she suddenly felt the cool metal of her blaster leave her hands, and the involuntary movement of her hands rose to cover her mouth, to suppress the loud gasp she knew was falling from her lips.

The intruder, more like a young man, was none other than Anakin Skywalker. The slave she helped free from captivity on Zygerria and whom is currently staying with her, till he can get his life back together. The same Anakin who was so broken and lost when she found him, that she felt like she was walking on eggshells whenever she tried to coax him into talking to her or starting a conversation.

With this fiasco she started, she possibly ruined any chances of ever making him feel comfortable enough to talk to her or in fact feel safe and protected with her.

Good job, Amidala.

Always jumping the gun, literally

[warinthetangledstars]

Howzer x fem reader

Also on A03 under the same username.

If you like this... I may be willing to take requests if you send something that clicks with me. I do plan on doing some Imagines with other clones. *cough*rex*cough. And even some General Grievous.

Stay Part 1

This imagine will probably be 2 or 3 parts. Eventually smut.

Setup for imagine: You are Cham Syndulla's sister, so close your eyes and imagine your beautiful self as a Twi'lek lady.

The Clone Wars recently ended and your family is gathered for dinner. This takes place before the events in TBB, so the Empire's plans for Ryloth are not yet known.

____________________________________________

"This is nice, eating dinner without talking about battle strategies," your comment was the first thing to break the silence since everyone had started eating.

With full mouths, the others at the table either hummed in agreement or nodded their heads silently; until Cham, sitting at one end of the table, finally swallowed down his food, "Most importantly, we can finally work towards healing - Ryloth and ourselves. This war has taken so much from us; we must come together as a family, appreciate what we still have, and move forward."

To emphasize his point, he stretched out his arms and took a hand of both his wife and daughter, who were sitting to either side of him, giving them both an appreciative glance. Your niece sitting next to you, bowed her head slightly, the implications of his words hitting a still-sensitive part of her. Without hesitation, you placed a hand on the back of her shoulder, a silent offering of support.

You didn't have to be force-sensitive like the Jedi to feel the sadness hidden behind the words that were, on the surface, positive and inspiring. Your eyes travelled from Hera, to your brother, and to your sister-in-law as you admired and appreciated their strength. If it hadn't been for them, you would have lost faith and hope a long time ago.

Finally, your eyes landed on Captain Howzer, who sat directly across from you. Your eyes met for a fleeting moment before he bowed his head sharply, seeming to take a sudden, intense interest in the food on his plate, poking at it with the utensil in his hand. Due to spending so much time with him during the war, you knew that, by bowing his head, he was trying not to impose on the intimate family moment.  It seemed no matter how much time he spent with you and your family, no matter how much happiness you shared or pain you suffered through together, he still felt unworthy of witnessing such tender familial moments because, well, he wasn't part of the family - he was an outsider.

Technically, it was true, he was not part of your family; he wasn't even Twi'lek, after all. He was a human, a clone of a human - some thought it necessary to make that distinction, though you couldn't see why. And, yes, he had started off as an outsider, a representative of the Republic Army and the undesirable, but necessary, military occupation that made its way to Ryloth due to the war; however, that was no longer the case. Captain Howzer had been loyal to your family and played a vital role in maintaining Ryloth's liberation from the Separatists. Most of all, he had gained the upmost respect from your brother.

So, whether he felt worthy or not, there was an unspoken acknowledgement in the family that Howzer was a part of it now, welcomed with open arms. And you, feeling the way you did towards him, always felt the urge to actively include him when appropriate.

With your eyes still on Howzer, you added to your brother's statement, "Don't forget about what we have gained."

Your brother gave you a skeptical glance, no doubt wondering how anything could be gained from a devastating war.

"You are right," Eleni spoke up as she looked over at Howzer, understanding the reference of your words as if she had been thinking it herself, "Ryloth has received many blessings from unexpected places. Your friendship, Howzer, is one of them."

Cham's skepticism faded into understanding, "Agreed."

Howzer, no longer hiding his face, looked at Cham and Eleni and offered them a wide grin as he spoke generic words of thanks. He did appreciate the kind words, but honestly, they only made him feel more...conflicted.

Howzer was literally created to serve the Republic and he only came to Ryloth because of his given order: Aid Ryloth in their continued liberation from the Separatists; he did not come here for friends or family. And he took it very seriously in the beginning.  But as the war dragged on and he experienced wins and losses with your family, the more he came to care for your family in a way he had never cared for anyone before, outside of his brothers of course.

So, regardless of what brought him to Ryloth, he now found himself here, eating dinner with the Syndulla family with no meaningful purpose other than to spend time in their company.  Yes, he had certainly gotten too close and now, for the first time in his life, he felt anguish for the position he was in.  Tomorrow, he would leave Ryloth.  The war was over, so the military occupation was no longer needed. Which, of course he agreed, was a good thing for the people of Ryloth, but he also found himself yearning to stay.  To stay here with you.

He had fallen for you, hard, and it was absolutely the last thing he needed. From the very first time he saw you, he was stunned by your beauty, unabated, even through the visor of his helmet. And then, from all of the time spent together in close quarters, his appreciation of your beauty flourished into something much more.  Proposing plans of attack that turned into friendly games of competition to see who could destroy the most droids.  Debating best lines of defense that turned into intimate conversations to help each other work through the painful losses.  Harmless jokes that turned into flirtatious banter.  He was oblivious to the subtle changes over time and realized it only when it was too late.

He should have never allowed himself to become so completely enamored with you. You were a beautiful Twi'lek woman, from an important family, meant to bring Ryloth back to its former glory, marry someone worthy of you, and have a family just as Cham did. 

He knew he wasn't worthy of you.  He was a clone trooper. He held the title of captain, sure, but still a clone; he would never be anything more than that. And he was leaving, off to wherever the Empire ordered him to go, to carry out whatever task the Empire ordered him to complete.

So, no matter how he felt towards you, there was so much that attested to the fact that you and him were never meant to be. He had to keep trying to break free of the feelings for you that he recklessly allowed to flourish, unchecked. He had to let you go.

Still, his actions betrayed his reasoning, as his dark, honey-gold eyes moved from Cham and Eleni, to meet yours. 

A smile broke across your serious face at the sight of Howzer's returned gaze until you noticed the smile that lifted his cheeks falter slightly, your own smile retreating in response.  You'd seen this happen before, all of those times when Howzer tried to give some semblance of happiness while his true feelings were anything but.  You titled your head slightly, with one eyebrow raised in question, as you studied him.  He was hiding something.

Howzer's eyes widened slightly, realizing you weren't fooled by his counterfeit smile.  What had given him away?  Had he slipped somehow?

His minute reaction confirmed your intuition, causing you to furrow your brows and mouth the words, 'What's wrong?'

Howzer didn't have a chance to offer any type of silent response before Cham spoke again, "In regards to moving forward, Sister, you can finally think about starting a family of your own."

You slowly turned to Cham, hesitantly breaking your gaze with Howzer, but noticed in your peripherals that his eyes did not leave you, "This is true."

"Do you have anyone in mind?" Cham questioned as he stabbed some food onto his utensil.

Do you have anyone in mind? You could imagine your brother was expecting you to name one of the Twi'lek warriors that played a vital role during the war. Of course, before the war, you would have agreed with that notion, as you did spend a lot of time in your childhood whiling away the hours by daydreaming about a strong, Twi'lek warrior coming into your life and the resulting family that would come from that fateful meeting; a family that reflected very much the family your brother had been blessed with.

But that was before you met a tan-skinned soldier from Kamino.

When he first arrived on Ryloth, he was just one of thousands, concealed behind a set of form-fitting plastoid plates and black body glove, made unique only by the teal markings on his armor and teal pauldron that adorned his right shoulder. Meeting him did nothing to alleviate any of your apprehension of working with a clone army. The combination of his visor acting as a solid, black mirror and his voice filtering through the helmet, giving it almost a mechanical sound, made it impossible for you to really connect with man under the armor. It was almost like speaking to a soulless droid.

It wasn't until you took a more active role in the war, when you finally met the man beneath the armor.  After a particularly intense battle, that lasted far too long, both of you sat on the ground with your backs leaned against a boulder you had taken position behind during the fight, breathing heavily.  You weren't looking at him when you heard the movement of his helmet followed by an unfiltered sigh of relief.  Curiously and cautiously, you turned to look at him and you felt your eyes widen in surprise.  All of your speculating of what hid under the helmet did not compare to the strong, angled profile of the man that sat beside you. And you were so overwhelmed by it that you had to turn away from him.

After that battle was the first time the two of you really talked to each other and made some sort of connection beyond "Twi'lek" and "Clone Trooper".  He was actually a person to you from that point on and it didn't take long for that connection to cultivate into a friendship and then blossom into something more.  Or, at least on your end, you supposed. You weren't exactly sure how he felt about you, because the signals he gave you were a bit conflicting - always sliding on a spectrum of 'cautious flirting' and 'cordial indifference', but you knew your feelings for him had, at some point, crossed into a whole new, serious threshold.

You; however, had never revealed your feelings for Howzer to anyone and was not privy to the idea of doing so in the moment. Still, you couldn't help but flick your eyes towards Howzer for just a second as you planned your response.

If Howzer hadn't been looking at you so intently, holding onto his breath as he waited for your answer, he would have missed that split-second glance you gave him.  A glance that made his stomach twist on itself as his feelings of conflict washed over him again.  You had looked at him as you considered Cham's question.  Once again there was a small act of confirmation that you felt something for him, that you reciprocated the feelings he had for you, but only to be forced to remind himself that your feelings for him, no matter what they were, didn't change the fact that pursuing a life with you was just not a possibility.

You didn't see Howzer struggle to keep his straight posture as discontent weighed down on his shoulders.

"I may need more time to think on it."

Your brother nodded at your answer, giving himself time to chew through his food, "Understandable, but if you want any advice I may know of some good candidates."

Candidates? The word made you roll your eyes, "I love you, Brother, but I will not be taking advice from you on this subject."

He huffed a laugh and raised his utensil in quick surrender, "Okay, okay, but maybe Eleni can help you."

No longer interested in carrying out this conversation in front of Howzer, you waved your hand gently in front of you, "I don't need help. I will handle it," you pointedly looked at your sister-in-law to add, "No offense."

Eleni let out a soft, reassuring laugh, "No offense taken. I have every faith you will find someone perfect for you."

You looked away awkwardly; it took everything for you not to look at the man that sat beside her.

Hardly skipping a beat, Eleni turned to Howzer, "What about you?"

Though you did not look to see, you could tell, by his voice and the movement in his chair, that he turned the top half of his body towards her, "I'm sorry, ma'am, what about me?"

"Have you thought about starting a family?"

"Oh, I do-- I've nev--," the way he stuttered made it sound like his brain was going to short circuit before he could decide on a satisfying answer, "the Repub - I mean - the Empire will keep me on as Captain."

Everyone waited, you unable to resist peeking at Howzer, for him to say something else, but his silence confirmed that he felt the question had been adequately answered.

"But now that the war is over, things will be so much more calm and you would surely have the time to focus on a family, even if you do stay on as Captain," Eleni reasoned.

He shifted in his seat, "I guess so.  I've never really thought about it," though his answer seemed frail, like it wasn't entirely true.

"Well, I'm sure you'd have no problem finding someone if you wanted to.  Cham told me how popular you were with the ladies here on Ryloth."

Cham shot a glance at Eleni, not angry, but not happy, "Eleni..."

A beeping interrupted Cham, a beeping that came from Howzer's wristlink.  You couldn't help but smile inwardly at the audible sigh of relief that escaped his lips as he stood up, "Excuse me," his voice serious.

As he walked away, you noticed that your body had tensed from the sound of his voice and, looking around, saw that you weren't the only one to do so.  The war was over, but hearing Captain Howzer's serious military voice brought you all back to the battle field. 

He was hardly gone for a minute before he returned to the table, choosing to stand next to his seat instead of sitting back down.

"Is everything fine?" Cham asked calmly, but seriously, as he stared up at Howzer.

Howzer gave a single nod, "Yes, sir.  All is well, but I must check in with the evening patrol," he bent down to pick up his helmet from the floor and placed it snuggly under his left arm.

Everyone, including you, relaxed, but you couldn't help but be surprised by his answer, Why were they still doing patrols?

As he stood back at his full height, his eyes scanned everyone at at table, "Thank you for inviting me to dinner," his eyes landed on Eleni, "the food was delicious."

You quickly tossed aside your concern about the mysterious patrols, "Hey now," your firm voice drew Howzer back to you, "why are you telling her that?  I'm the one that cooked dinner."

His head shook slightly, dismissing you entirely as he said your name in a playful manner, "I know you didn't cook it."

You cocked your head back, "Is that so?" Your voice was slightly challenging, "And what exactly makes you say that?"

Howzer had started to turn to walk away from the table, but stopped when you posed your question, "Well, it's just that," his right hand moved up to rub at the back of his neck, his eyes avoiding you as he carefully considered a response he really wasn't prepared to give.

Suddenly, Hera spoke up, taking the bait, "Because the food is edible.  You're a terrible cook."

You released a sharp gasp, feigning offense at her words, but still looking at Howzer as he slightly lifted his right hand up into the air in surrender, "Whoa, that's not what I was going to say," he said, only to wink at Hera, causing her to giggle.

Cham and Eleni both failed to stifle their small laughs at what had been said.  You rolled your eyes, letting them have the moment to laugh at your expense.  There was no way for you to argue Hera's point; you were horrible at cooking.

It wasn't until Howzer once again announced his departure and exited the room, did your concerns about him and the patrols come back to the forefront of your mind.  So, after just enough time to decide on your next course of action, you quickly excused yourself from the table and made you way after him. 

[mortallyclearwonderland]

Star Wars Alien Species - Togorian

Togoria was a planet in the Mid Rim and the homeworld of the Togorians. The temperate world of Togoria, featuring isolated cities among vast savannas, deep canyons and great, deep forests.

Togorians evolved as nomadic hunters of creatures like the bist and etelo. In turn, flying reptiles called liphons preyed upon the Togorians. Primitive Togorians noticed that slightly smaller flying reptiles, mosgoths, were also targeted by liphons who attacked their nests and stole their eggs. Togorians began camping near the mosgoths for mutual protection, eventually domesticating them as mounts. Soon, a rift in their society developed—while males wanted to continue their lifestyle as nomads, females wanted the comfort and safety of permanent camps. In other species, the conflict would have led to one lifestyle winning over the other, but both male and female Togorians were too stubborn.

Eventually, the males continued their nomadic ways, riding their mosgoths and hunting, and competing in contests of prowess. Meanwhile, the females stayed in villages with pre-pubescent children, with those communes eventually growing into cities. While the males continued to hunt in the wilderness, the females tended domesticated herds and developed technology. Males would visit their mates for about a month each year, but the sexes lived completely separate lives otherwise. Whether in spite of the separation of the sexes, or because of it, Togorians were monogamous, and devoted to their chosen mates.

The Togorians were first discovered by galactic society when the Mandalorians tried to conquer Togoria. When the Togorians united to defend their planet, the Mandalorians were so impressed with the Togorians' fighting tactics and techniques that they recruited them. These Togorians were among the first non-Taung or non-Human people to join the Mandalorian ranks. When the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders were defeated, some Togorians turned to mercenary work, bounty hunting, and joining space pirate colonies organized and controlled by the Hutts.

In 32 BBY, a band of Togorian pirates used their bulk freighter and decoy space cruiser to lure the Scimitar, the Sith Lord Darth Maul's Sith Infiltrator, into a trap. Maul was on his way to Tatooine to complete an important mission given him by Darth Sidious—to first track, then eliminate the two elusive Jedi ambassadors to Naboo, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, before capturing Queen Amidala and returning her to her homeworld, where she would be constrained to sign a treaty with the Trade Federation, making its invasion and occupation of the planet "legal". It was then, as Maul came out of hyperspace above Tatooine, that the Togorians attacked. After the ambushers aboard the pirate cruiser were sent to search, plunder, and retrieve Maul's ship, they found it devoid of passengers, and their captain commanded them to return to the freighter; indeed, the Zabrak assassin had jettisoned his personal escape pod to evasively infiltrate and attack the occupants of the larger pirate vessel, killing all on-board including its captain. Darth Sidious was adamant regarding Maul's critical clandestine mission, that there were to be no witnesses to Maul's presence in Tatooine space. One lingering pirate assailant, Hela-Tan, viciously fought with Maul even as the Sith Lord, having at last recovered the Scimitar, was executing his escape from the pirates' docking bay, to continue his mission to Tatooine. The pirate succeeded in administering a brutal wound to Maul's leg before the Togorian himself was sucked into space by the explosive blast of the Togorians' Sith-sabotaged freighter, which had detonated upon its bridge crew's ignition of its engines.

During the Clone Wars Togorians aided General Grievous in the Battle of Togoria. In the final days of the Galactic Republic, a Togorian Jedi youngling escaped Order 66.

During the Imperial era, they were ruled by a male hereditary monarch, titled the "Margrave of Togoria". The Margrave lived like any other nomad, save only that it was a great honor to be allowed to pitch a tent in his camp. Either his wife or a close blood relative governed the female population from the city of Caross, which was effectively the planetary capital.

Males rarely left their homeworld, though a few were pirates and mercenaries, or were unwillingly forced offworld to search for a missing mate. Since the only offworlders they met were smugglers, pirates, or slavers, they considered most of them no better than rossorworms. They found droids and Imperial stormtroopers (or "Metal Men" and "White Shells", as they called them) particularly objectionable. Offworlders on Togoria found trespassing outside Caross would be returned to the females of Caross to be dealt with. On a second offense, they were staked out for the liphons to eat. Despite this, male Togorians could be amiable towards offworlders, especially those not dependent upon technology. Han Solo and Mammon Hoole were among those who were honored by the Togorians. Solo was once invited by the Margrave to stay on Togoria and hunt with the males, while Hoole even pitched his tent in the Margrave's camp (though the Shi'ido sentientologist may have been taking the form of a Togorian at the time.)

Female Togorians, on the other hand, were willing to deal with outsiders. They stereotypically enjoyed luxury, though not to the point of decadence, and tended to be acquisitive, industrious, and cunning. Females who could afford it often rewarded themselves with a few years on resort planets such as Bespin or Ord Mantell. The females had developed fairly high technology on their own, showing expertise in solar energy. By the Imperial era, they had almost enough technical expertise to develop their own starships.

Offworlders had difficulty negotiating with Togorians in order to gain access to their planet's natural resources, so their trade was limited. Female Togorians were, however, a valuable market for comlinks, datapads, small droids, and other small electronics and luxuries. Mastercrafted scimitars or "sc'rath" produced by male Togorians fetched high prices on offworld weapons markets. Both sexes, however, preferred to walk or ride mosgoths rather than ride vehicles.

Han Solo's friend Muuurgh and his mate Mrrov were Togorians, as well as the Jedi Bhixen.

As a species, they were large bipeds, with retractable claws on their hands and feet. They were covered in gray-white to black fur, often with more colorful spots or stripes.They had extremely dense bone tissue, allowing them to endure greater physical trauma than beings with similar physiques. Their piercing jade eyes provide them with excellent vision, even in low light conditions. Female Togorians were up to 2.2 meters or 7.2 feet tall, while adult males ranged up to 3.0 meters or 9.8 feet and weighs 170 kilograms or 375 pounds.

Togorian age at the following stages: 1 - 9 Child 10 - 14 Young Adult 15 - 44 Adult 45 - 64 Middle Age 65 - 79 Old Examples of Names: Dankin, Dh'rang, H'sishi, Keta, Mezgraf, Mrrov, Muuurgh, Qrrulla, Rowv, Ruukas, Sarrah, Seendar. Languages: Togorians learn their own language of Togorian, as well as the standard tongue of Basic.

[raven-of-domain-kwaad]

(send me a potential AU and I’ll tell you five fun facts that would happen in a story) ok I'm a sucker for fantasy AUs, I'd love to see literally any of your OCs in such AU but I'm also really curious about Amarra as Kreia's apprentice AU - not necessarily as the Jedi Exile, I just think their relationship would be super interesting, I think there are some parallels between Serra + Amarra and Kreia + the Exile duos. I might be wrong though, it's been a while since I played the game but still :')

Send me an AU and I’ll give you some facts about the story

Oooo! Love the thought of Amarra interacting with and being Kreia’s apprentice!

Ok so for this, I’m going to mess with my timelines and canon. I’m going to assume that after the Great Hyperspace War, the Kine family still fled to Vjun. There they established themselves and thrived, integrating into the native culture while also maintaining their own Sith / Ziosti culture.

The difference is that the main Empire never discovers their existence but Revan does. While building their own Empire to try and combat Vitiate, Revan discovers the Kines and other Sith survivors on Vjun. They share what they’ve learned about Vitiate and his Empire and the Kines agree to aid Revan in their preparations for war as they do not want to lose their own unique culture and way of life.

The Kines bring greater stability to Revan’s Empire but the dark jedi that Revan trains eventually prove to be too unstable compared to Sith like the Kines and cause the Empire to collapse. This leads to the Jedi Purge and the creation of the Sith Triumvirate we see in KOTOR 2.

Knowing of the threat that Revan was trying to prepare for, Kreia returned to Vjun and the surviving Kines. She hoped to gain a greater understanding of true Sith, not just the fallen jedi that Revan had trained. In response to this, the Kines had one of their own accompany Kreia. That someone was Amarra Kine.

Amarra was living on Korriban (her immediate family helping train these would be Sith) when Revan’s Empire collapsed. She lost her family and little sister to the chaos and developed a personal hatred for Jedi as she now felt that they could never truly be proper Sith. She did not want to accompany Kreia, who she saw as just another Jedi, but eventually agreed.

Amarra and Kreia traveled the galaxy together and learned from one another. Amarra explained that being Sith was not simply following a belief system. The Code of the Sith itself was created by fallen jedi and Amarra did not believe she needed to follow it to be Sith. The Sith were a people, their name may have been stolen and twisted by others but it was still theirs.

Kreia meanwhile was developing her own belief that the force was the main problem in the galaxy. The Sith were just people as Amarra had said. If it had not been for the force then maybe the Great Hyperspace War would not have happened and driven the Sith people into exile. Without the force maybe major conflicts like the Hundred-Year Darkness and Great Sith War would not have happened.

Amarra was intrigued by Kreia's thoughts. All she wanted was to protect her people and family. Without the force then the Kines would just be people like everyone else. Without the force, there would be no Jedi and the Republic would have no reason to continue hunting down Sith survivors.

Believing that the death of the force would mean true freedom for the galaxy, Amarra devoted herself to learning Kreia’s teachings. She never fully trusted Kreia herself but believed that her goals were not only worthy of her time but necessary for the safety of her family and the galaxy.

Kreia meanwhile sees Amarra as a useful tool that can give insight into Sith culture. She also sees her as a way to eliminate enemies in more conventional ways as Amarra’s combat skills far exceed Kreia’s own.

So, the pair don’t exactly trust each other as people but they trust that they both want the same thing.

[pretchatta]

wartime traditions

Traditions are usually built over generations. In times of war and great upheaval, however, new customs are created and clung to like lifelines.

One such tradition was formed on Ryloth, when Cham Syndulla brought his captain home to his wife.

may i introduce you all to my new ot3? (no spoilers for TBB – set pre-o66)

rating: teen; howzer/cham syndulla/eleni syndulla; 1.4k words

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Twenty-one twi’lek faces looked at Cham Syndulla from around the table. Twenty-one twi’leks, and one human.

The celebratory meal with his captains and commanders had become a traditional ending to the brief, intense periods of fighting that still plagued Ryloth. Every time they sat together, Cham would wonder when the next time they would be called up to fight would be. Even though the Battle of Lessu had resulted in Ryloth’s liberation from Wat Tambor, the Separatists weren’t giving up so easily. It often felt like for every attack they repelled two more would follow. There was no end to the fighting, only periods of respite after which they would return to the front lines.

But they were holding, for now.

And as the meal was becoming tradition, so too was Cham remaining seated until, one by one, each of the others rose and left, bidding him farewell until their next battle. The food was not noteworthy, the drink non-existent, and there was little to talk about other than war, so few lingered when their families and homes awaited. Only one stayed behind, and this was also their tradition.

The only human at the table, Captain Howzer led the clone battalion that the Republic had left behind to aid Ryloth following the Battle of Lessu. A clone himself, Howzer had proved himself worthy of Cham’s trust and respect a thousand times over. He was the only non-twi’lek other than Mace Windu to have sat at Cham’s table. But Howzer was more than just a soldier.

Cham knew the clones that the Republic had bought from Kamino were more than just mindless war machines. How could he not, after fighting with them for so long? Howzer was no different. He was his own person, as different to his brothers as Cham was to any twi’lek. Their time fighting together had made them understandably close, but something else had grown during the weeks of life-or-death situations. Now, there was more to their relationship than only the chain of command.

The two men stood to leave together, making the journey back to the Syndulla residence in a comfortable silence. Darkness was falling over the Tann province as the night drew closer and warm light spilled from the windows of the houses they passed. It was comforting to walk these familiar streets, but for Cham nothing was as comforting as reaching his own home.

It was different to how he had left it only a week ago. Some of the fighting had strayed uncomfortably close to civillian settlements, and one of their own Y-wing bombers had been shot down from the skies overhead. As General, Cham had received the impersonal, matter-of-fact report on the incident; they lost the pilot and the Y-wing, but with minimal structural damage at the crash site and no civilian casualties. It was a relief, but not enough information to sate his personal needs.

Later that evening, when he had made his usual holocall to his family (another new tradition) he had listened to Eleni tell him that the fighter had crashed mere meters from their own home. She and Hera had been on the other side of the house, thank the Goddess, and no-one had been hurt. No-one except the clone pilot, who was already dead when they pulled him out of the smashed cockpit.

He had told Eleni that he would deal with the wreckage when he returned, but seeing it now, he wondered if he would. It was a painful reminder of just how vital his fight for Ryloth’s freedom was. His eyes lingered on it as they crossed the courtyard to the front of the house, and he could tell Howzer was looking at it too. Howzer would have received the report on which brother he had lost that day. He would have mourned his loss in the barracks with his men, and then rallied them all to keep going, as the clones always did.

On the other side of the front door was a much more welcome sight. Eleni was waiting for them in the atrium wearing only a simple dress, but to Cham she looked radiant.

“Right on time,” she greeted them, crossing the room from where she had been sitting to meet them. Cham embraced his wife and kissed her, sweet and slow. He wasn’t truly home until he was in her arms. Here, he was not a General, and Howzer was not a Captain; the three of them could just be people enjoying respite from the war raging outside.

He drew back only far enough to press his forehead against hers. “It is good to be home,” he murmured.

“It is good to have you both back,” Eleni replied. She left the final word implied and unspoken: alive. Cham knew it was difficult for her to stay behind. She had been an active participant in the fighting following the Separatist’s first invasion of Ryloth, but fewer soldiers were needed to hold their retaken lands and someone needed to stay with Hera now that they had a house for her to live in again.

“I take it Hera’s asleep?” Howzer asked as Eleni slipped from Cham’s arms to his.

She twined her arms around the clone’s neck but paused before answering. “She was sent to bed,” she said finally with a hint of a smile. “Whether she is still there is another matter.”

“Is this something I need to worry about?” Cham asked over his shoulder as he crossed the room. From the cabinet there he drew three glasses and a bottle of amber liquid. As he removed the stopper from the bottle he glanced back to see Eleni greeting Howzer in the same way she had done him. It was a good sight.

“No, love,” she replied when she drew back, her hands moving to Howzer’s plastoid armour. Howzer was more than capable of removing his own armour but this, too, was now tradition. Cham poured their drinks.

“She pulled the astromech droid out of that wreck outside,” Eleni continued, her nimble fingers making quick work of the fastenings on Howzer’s shoulder plates, “and every night since she has been staying up to work on it. She thinks I have not noticed, but she forgets I can see the light from her room from the stairs.”

“You don’t tell her to stop?” Howzer asked, taking his armour from her as she moved to his vambraces.

“Of course not. There are much worse things she could be doing, and this way I know about it.” Eleni took the bundle of armour from him to set to one side. “Besides, I haven’t seen her this happy in a while. That little droid is good for her.”

Cham took a sip from his drink. “Then tomorrow I will ask her to show me what she has done. Perhaps this is something we can work on together, as father and daughter.”

“Tomorrow,” his wife said firmly. “Tonight there is something else you can work on.”

“The first being passing me my drink,” Howzer added.

Cham answered Howzer’s smile with his own as he brought the clone his drink. Eleni had knelt on the floor to work on his leg armour and Cham took advantage of her absence and Howzer’s immobility to take a kiss of his own. He’d only meant it to be brief, but that first sip of his drink was seeping warmth through his body and Howzer’s mouth was only adding to that. He was home, with the people he trusted and loved. Howzer’s blunt teeth nipped at his lower lip and the warmth solidified into a burning heat in Cham’s lower belly.

“As much as we are all enjoying this,” Eleni murmured from much closer than Cham expected, “you are getting in the way.”

Cham drew back, taking in Howzer’s dark eyes and flushed complexion that matched how he no doubt looked. Eleni had finished removing most of the clone’s armour and was now standing behind him; all that remained was his chestplate. Once Cham had given her space, that too was placed carefully to the side, and Howzer stood in only his blacks.

“How about we move upstairs,” he suggested, taking his drink from Cham.

“An excellent idea.”

This was, after all, their tradition.

[vagrantblvrd]

Related to the post where Luke is ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  about crime that AU where Luke is just all about crime.

Plot reasons with him running into Han and Chewie on Tatooine and falling in with them with the smuggling and whatnot. Ran into all kinds where he learned to properly criminal, you know?

Helped a lot he almost had a sixth sense about things sometimes, saved him and his friends from getting caught or worse, but it also gives him a certain reputation in certain circles too.

Also? Bounties. A lot of them and all over the place and he and Han and Chewie may not have a thing about who’s got the biggest bounty on them at any given time. (Loser buys drinks next time they stop in somewhere with a bar or cantina.)

There are run-ins with bounty hunters sprinkled in there, and if Luke’s honest with himself his favorite has to be this Mandalorian he keeps bumping into?

Serious type, real professional.

But.

After a few run-ins Luke thinks he’s wearing the guy down? Swears he cracked a joke once, dragging Luke to some local law enforcement for something or other. Luke not overly bothered because Han would be looking for him and anyway, the bounty puck the Mandalorian tracked him down for this time was small-time stuff, nothing to worry about.

He flirts outrageously with the Mandalorian whenever the guy actually catches up to him. Started as a way to get under his skin, maybe throw him off-balance enough he could get away, but the guy’s too good to fall for it. (Doesn’t mean Luke stops, goodness no, but once it’s clear the Mandalorian’s not going to bite it’s just. A really weird game they play? Hell if Luke knows, but the Mandalorian hasn’t put him in carbonite yet, so he must not be that mad about it.

(Han thinks it’s weird as hell the way Luke antagonizes the Mandalorian, keeps telling him he’s going to go too far one day and carbonite will be the good end for him, but Luke doesn’t thin that’s true, so...)

Anyway, anyway.

For all that Luke’s become a pretty good criminal type - leans towards thievery, stuff that requires a but more finesse than Han or Chewie favor. Which works out incredibly well for them while doing crime. Everyone’s distracted by whatever Han and Chewie are doing and fail to clock the farm boy as any kind of threat, which never goes well for the them, so.

Anyway, while Luke’s off adventuring and whatnot with Han and Chewie he send money home to Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen on a regular basis. The farm didn’t make much at the best of times, and that’s part of the reason Luke left n the first place. (One less mouth to feed, one less dumb kid to look after.)

They go to Tatooine every once in a while too, Han picking up jobs and other things, but some of it’s to do with Luke’s home and the only family he’s ever known, but to hear Han tell it they go there for work. (Really.)

So on one of their trips to Tatooine Luke goes to visit his aunt and uncle and there are a pair of droids on the farm. Uncle Owen putting Luke to work getting them cleaned up an all that after a tense moment when he sees Luke. He and Beru know Luke’s getting up to trouble, know he’s a criminal now, but he’s still the kid they raised and anyway, might be better that than and up like his father, so.

Luke gets put to work with Artoo and C-3PO, and they still go missing the next day with him chasing after and the meeting with Old Ben. Leia’s message and everything else, including finding aunt Beru and uncle Owen after the Imperials have been through.

All that happens like before, but this time they don’t have to go looking for a ship to hire because Han and Chewie and Luke is so damned relieved to see them after everything. (Han was getting worried too, about to go looking for him when Luke found him first, trailing some weird old hermit behind him.

The training and whatnot on the way to Alderaan, and Luke’s not the same wide-eyed farm boy this time around, but he’s got a feeling they can’t just not go looking for the princess from the message, and Han -

He cannot believe he’s going along with this, but it’s not like he can let Luke go on ahead without him, and anyway, anyway.

Everything else more or less goes the same way, but along with the whole Jedi thing Luke has going on he’s also a pretty damn good thief, picked up some other criminal-type skills along the way.

Has his own little network of contacts and friends all across the galaxy, and most of Han’s and Chewie’s have a soft spot for their third partner in crime and yes.

But also?

Once he joins the Rebellion they realize he has a very specific set of skills and talents that would make him a logical choice for more...delicate missions.

So, he does sekrit spy stuff while not flying about in his X-wing having pew-pew dogfights with Imperial TIE fighters or volunteering for missions to shut down a shield generator on a forest moon somewhere.

Weirdly/coincidentally enough, he runs into his - Han, really, he’s not Luke’s Mandalorian, you need to stop that. (Although really, Luke wouldn’t have any objections if he were Luke’s, but the whole criminal past/current rebel spy/fighter pilot/fledgling Jedi thing, so.)

They have their run-ins, although thankfully it’s usually when the Mandalorian is tracking someone else, seems a bemused at the way it keeps working out that way. Used to be that the times in the past he was looking for Luke he had to turn the galaxy upside down to find him.

Luke never tells the Mandalorian he’s gone straight, works for the Rebellion these days. Can’t risk it no matter how much he does like the guy.

Still flirts outrageously with him though, habit and a little bit of hopeful wishing and no time, way, to do anything about it even if the Mandalorian reciprocated because Rebellion and fighting a war and really, really, he wouldn’t want to do that to the Mandalorian anyeay.

Then Endor and the whole...everything that happened, talk about family drama.

Doesn’t really know what to do after that because he’s still processing, but the Empire’s not gone and he’s still a damn good spy/agent and anyway.

He does that, goes on sekrit spy missions and the whatnot for a while before he just...can’t anymore.

Jedi stuff, you know?

Goes searching for relics and whatever he can get his hands on, thinks about starting a school after a bit because people keep finding him.

Parents with Force-sensitive kids who are worried about them, street kids on whatever planet he’s on and the Force nudging them together, and just.

Someone needs to help them, and it’s also a bit of him needing them in return, and Leia just gives him this look, because she knows.

Promises to help him however he she can, and in the meantime Yavin 4, you know?

And that’s great, it’s amazing, but once he gets the ball rolling and help in the forms of other older Force-senstive people he can trust to watch and help train the younger students while he’s jetting about he, uh, goes jetting about.

Feels a call from someone in need or hears about a Jedi relic or place of importance and has to go check it out.

Also, though, also.

The New Republic and need for a thief of his specific skill set and sekrit missions once again.

One of which lands both him and the Mandalorian tracking him for an old - really old, really unflattering holor of his face - in a jall somewhere.

Dungeon?

Something, because Imperial remnant/local warlor hoping to curry favor with their masters and what a deal - a thief/spy/Jedi and the Mandalorian trying to catch him and so on.

Luke in a cell with binders on his wrists and the Mandalorian in a cell opposite also with binders on his wrist, although sans armor.

(They left him his helmet, though, small, cruel mercy that it is.)

So Luke, he bides his time.

Chats his fellow prisoner up much as the Mandalorian has ever let him, lets the little warlord rough him up thinking he’s intimidating Luke - which, ha. Luke’s dealt with worse, this pompous fool is nothing compared to Leia in the morning before being properly caffeinated.

Once he’s sure it’s safe to stage an escape - or he’s gotten all the information the little warlord is likely to monologue at him - Luke does the escape thing.

Slips out of the binders easy as you please and looks up at the ceiling of his cell/dungeon.

Repurposed to hold prisoners like him and the Mandalorian and not properly secured and all that. Yes, it’ll keep (most) people in, but getting out?

Well.

Convenient vents and ducts and Luke’s just small enough to squeeze through.

Located in the ceiling though, and too high up for most to get to on their own, but the Force is super handy for stuff like that and up he goes.

Mandalorian who’s stewing after the warlord’s last monologue-ing session because he’s got a kid now and that bastard threatened aid kid - watches Luke disappear.

Thinks that’s it then, isn’t it. Years and years of him chasing Luke down whenever he picks up a bounty on him and despite the almost friendly relationship that formed between them over the years, there’s no reason for Luke to stick his neck out for him, right?

Right.

So of course once Luke gets out of the vents and finds his way back to the cells/dungeon he lets the Mandalorian out.

Gives him this little smile, tired, hopelessly fond because yes, okay. The Mandalorian’s been chasing him on and off for years, but it was never personal, always just a job he was doing because professional?

But also, also, the times they helped one another out in the past even with no reason to do so, other than it being the right thing to do.

And truthfully, Luke’s been thinking of the Mandalorian as a friend for a long time now, likes him too much for anything else and even if none of that were true, he has a kid now. One that might be in danger and Luke can’t turn his back on either of them now, you know?

So he gets the Mandalorian out, and they take down the warlord and Luke -

His part of the mission’s over, was just supposed to gather intel and deal with the warlord if he could, sends word back to Leia and whoever sent him on the mission and then -

“I could help, if you’d like,” because of course he offers, and the Mandalorian is like -

“Why?”

And Luke, okay, Luke.

Just looks at the (his) Mandalorian like he can’t believe the guy even asked him that. (But kind of yeah, he expected that, and it just makes him even fonder of the dope.)

Mandalorian back in his armor and no longer wrong-footed and so very him Luke could laugh.

“I want to,” he says, because when it comes down to it, it really is just that simple.

And then off the two of them go to make sure the Mandalorian’s kid is safe and wow, what a shock to learn Grogu is one of Yoda’s species and also incredibly strong in the Force and -

“I’m supposed to take him to the Jedi,” the Mandalorian - Din - says, sounding heartbroken just saying those words, and Luke gets why that is once he thinks about it for a moment.

The old Jedi Order and their Thing about attachment and -

“Yeah, alright,” Luke says, because he’s worried about Din, curled over his sleeping son held in his arms and grieving his absence already because he thinks it’s the right thing to do. “How about we not do that for a moment, hm?”

Din looks at him because no, no, this non-neogtiable, this is for Grogu’s own good -

And Luke sighs, because much as he loves Ben and Yoda and his father, the previous Jedi Order have a lot to answer for, don’t they.

He tells Din that hey, so, surprise, Luke is actually kind of a big deal in terms of the Jedi world these days, you know?

Has this pieced together school on Yavin 4 with all these students, but more importantly? Their families are there too.

Lets that sink in, sits back and watches Din looking down at his sleeping kid - tiny green gremlin of a kid - and smiles the moment everything registers in Din’s head.

Apologizes for not telling Din before, but Thief and Rebel and Rebel Spy and just a lot going on and he never actually hid what he was from Din, just. Wasn’t ridiculously blatant about it - because the Empire killed the Jedi Order, and for all his skill, abilities, Luke is still very much a man, mortal as any other and just.

Yes.

Din is like. Will need more time to process, but Luke is a - the Jedi - and says he can train Grogu and that Din won’t have to give him up.

...Really, it sounds too good to be true, but Luke’s never lied to him when it counted, you know? Told awful, horrible lies he meant Din to see through, but never anything hurtful, harmful.

So he and Grogu go with Luke to Yavin 4 and Grogu gets along with Luke’s other students adnd enjoys it there.. Din’s a bit more out of place until some of the students see him training and ask if he can teach them too - and he looks at Luke, wary of overstepping, but Luke is delighted, okay, delighted.

And since Din doesn’t mind teaching the kids, welcomes it really, as a way to feel like he’s contributing to Luke’s school and generosity in allowing Din to stay.

Sparring sessions between him and Luke, because of course. And then other flirty things before they realize that wow, hey, they actually like one another an awful lot, and then smooches are had and Leia and Grogu laugh themselves sick because it took those idiots long enough you know?

But yes.

[theoriginalcarnivorousmuffin]

ohh i saw your answer about the sequels of star wars. id love to read you tear through the whole trilogy

Well, I’ve avoided this ask long enough. Part of the reason is this is really a huge topic, far too much for one ask, so I’m going to have to do this at a very high level.

In short, the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy is what one gets when you slap together the goal of selling merchandise and making tons of money, being as risk averse as humanly possible, adding a handful of warring directors with incredibly different visions, and having virtually no imagination when it comes to the imagining and writing of characters.

And we get this beautiful, awful, franchise that for reasons beyond me people seem to actually like (though interestingly, no one seems to like all of it, they may actually like one or two of the films, but no one says all three are actually in any realm of good).

With that, let’s begin.

The Force Awakens

For me this is easily the most tolerable of the sequel trilogy: it’s not great, it’s not terrible. It’s thoroughly watchable, you can be taken along for the movie’s journey and not raise your eyebrows too much at the action and leave the theater feeling this maybe wasn’t a complete waste of your time.

There’s a good reason for that. That reason is called the most blatant form of plagiarism I have ever seen in cinema in my life.

“The Force Awakens” is just “A New Hope” wearing a mustache. Only, it’s one of those cheap mustaches you get from a party store that, if you stare at it too long, just looks like the most false and awful thing you’ve ever seen. The mustache actively makes it worse. “The Force Awakens” is “A New Hope”, but worse.

Seriously, every major character, every major plot point, every major scene I can go directly back to “A New Hope”.

Our story begins when the Resistance, at great cost to our valiant heroes including torture at the hands of the Emperor’s second in command, sends a file out into the wilderness to be received by his people. This file contains plans for the Death Star.

The film then focuses on Luke, er Rey, getting involved in the Resistance, boarding the Death Star, and successfully destroying at the same time even at the lost of a beloved mentor that she just met (trading in Obi-Wan for Han Solo). 

Our evil empire is run by an evil emperor who is so evil he sits in a chair, is served by very Moth Tarkin-esque human storm troopers, and has a second in command who revels in the Darth Vader get up (for no other reason that it makes him feel cool but we’ll get into this).

It’s “A New Hope”. Rey is Luke, Han Solo is Obi-Wan, Poe is a kind of Han Solo, Kylo Ren is Vader, Snoke is Palpatine, Hux is Tarkin, BB-8 is R2-D2, etc.

“But that’s not terrible,” you say, “I liked A New Hope?”

First, it is terrible, it gives a very bad sign of where the sequel trilogy is headed and is just lazy writing. It means that those who produced this franchise were so terrified of taking risks, of possibly ending up mocked as the prequels were, that they will deliver exactly what the original trilogy was. And what’s that? Uh, evil empires, scrappy desert kids, AND MORE DEATH STARS!

That brings us to point number two, the world of Star Wars after the events of the original trilogy shouldn’t support such things. And, if it does, my god what a bleak existence this place has turned into.

The First Order being able to rise easily from the Empire’s remains means that Luke accomplished nothing. Anakin sacrificed himself and had his moment of redemption for nothing. There was no happy ending to the Original Trilogy, our heroes failed miserably, and there is no indication that our new band of heroes can possibly succeed in their place. (More on this as the movies progress).

We now are in a galaxy where this new Republic is so pathetic that Leia doesn’t even give it the time of day and builds her own private army to battle the Empire. The First Order is able to not only rebuild a massive army by raiding villages on many different worlds and stealing children and do so successfully for at least ten years but is able to build a Death Star bigger than any we’ve ever seen before. 

And the movie tries to convince us these are completely new problems, that Luke Skywalker is a hero (remember this is TFA, not TLJ yet), and that somehow these things just sprung up out of nowhere. BUT YEAH, RESISTANCE, WOO!

As for Rey, she’s like... a worse version of Luke. Her only motivation through the entire series is her trauma at being abandoned by her parents. That’s it, there’s nothing else to her, nothing else she ever wants or feels conflicted by. She struggles with the dark side because... the dark side? Genetics? Unclear? She’s absurdly, ridiculously, powerful in a way that’s acknowledged but never that acknowledged (we’ll get into this) and the movies just fail to sell me on her in any way.

Honestly, an easy fix for me would have just been making Rey a much younger character. I could believe a fourteen-year-old having stayed in the desert, scrounging for scraps, believing her parents are coming back every day now. As a twenty-something year old... It starts getting hard to believe she never left. (Also, this gets the benefit of getting rid of Reylo, which is always a plus for me).

As for Kylo Ren, I legitimately walked out of TFA thinking he was supposed to be comic relief. He’s what happens when someone desperately wants a likable, redeemable, villain and we get... Well, as a reminder his opening scene is one of genocide: he pillages and destroys a town with no regret and brutally tortures a man for information. We’re told he’s like this “because evil evil Snoke” and that may well be but throughout the film (and the series) it becomes clear that Kylo Ren’s main motivation is he deseprately wants to be cool. He wants to be a badass like Vader, he dresses in Vader cosplay (either ignoring or not knowing that Vader only dressed like that because his body was completely destroyed), he has these huge temper tantrums and nobody respects him because he’s a toddler in a Vader suit. 

He murders his own father, his parents who (at least in the films themselves) show every willingness to take him back and forgive him what he’s done, so that he can fully embrace his own “evilness”. In other words, he commits patricide to feel cool about himself, then it doesn’t work. 

And the movie series really banks on me feeling conflicted about Kylo Ren or at least wanting him to be redeemed. Granted, the wider internet seems to love him, I just can’t.

Oh, before I forget, the other thing I love about Kylo Ren is that the movies insist he’s a) strong in the Force b) is equal to Rey. Rey consistently beats the shit out of him with 0 training. Kylo Ren has been training in the Force for years. Guys, they are not a Dyad, Rey is far far far stronger than he is and for whatever reason the films never want to admit it. Because I guess we like things coming in pairs now.

But yes, “The Force Awakens”, at a distance not great nor terrible, but a rip off of a movie we’ve already seen that left me going “Welp, the next one’s probably The Empire Strikes Back then I guess we’re getting Ewoks”. I was sort of right on that and sort of wrong.

The Last Jedi

So, JJ Abrams clearly had a vision of where he wanted this sequel trilogy to go. He set up these big questions such as what’s up with Finn, who are Rey’s parents and why was she left on this nowhere planet, will Kylo Ren be redeemed and how, who is Snoke, etc.

Now, I’m not saying these aren’t stupid questions. To be frank, they kind of are. Finn being Force Sensitive was the most inconsequential thing I’ve ever heard of, Rey’s parents should not have been used to drive the plot the way it was, as spoken above I’m clearly team gut Kylo Ren, and that Snoke was actually just Palpatine being the world’s largest cockroach is a beautiful but hilarious answer.

That said, what Johnson did was he decided, “You know what, I’m going to take every trope of Star Wars and completely flip it on its head and absolutely doom the sequel to this movie.”

And by god, he did.

We get a weirdly pointless movie in which Poe, SINGLEHANDEDLY, completely obliterates the Resistance. He first obliterates their bombers by failing to follow command, then goes and bitches about how he’s not put in command when he clearly shows no ability to understand how a military works, actively subverts orders which in turn obliterates the entire Resistance fleet until the only survivors can fit on the Millenium Falcon. They have no ships, no weapons, barely any people, and are ultimately doomed doomed doomed.

We have Finn’s weird subplot with a suddenly introduced character Rose in which the pair aid in Poe’s blowing up the resistance (they send sensitive information using the communication equipment of a guy they do not know, who fully admits to being shady and out for his own skin, and are flabergasted when he betrays them). 

Rose herself is this weirdly sweet person who seems forced into the plot to a) provide a love triangle for Finn and Rey b) provide this forced sunny outlook that I didn’t really need in the film.

We get Rey never really being trained, going into the Cave of Wonders for a few seconds, falling in love with Kylo Ren over weird Force Skype calls (where I did not need to see him shirtless, thank you film) and being horrifically betrayed when Kylo Ren turns out not to be a great guy. Never saw that coming, Rey. 

As for Kylo Ren, well... God, we get Emperor Kylo Ren. Kylo Ren, the Emperor. I’m not even that upset about the anticlimactic murder of Snoke (that was kind of funny, especially in the context of Palpatine going, “Bitch, please, you’re in my chair” immediately in the next film) but just Kylo Ren being emperor. And also that the Resistance only escapes at all because he’s so dumb he made their dumb plans seem smart (i.e. concentrates all his firepower on an illusion for ten minutes while Hux goes, “Emperor, sir, we could actually destroy the Resistance right now.”

Now, you’ll notice I didn’t complain about Luke. A lot of people are upset he became a grumpy, miserable, old hermit who sits around waiting for death. Frankly though, in this universe, that’s exactly where he is. He left “Return of the Jedi” thinking he’d saved the world, he’s resurrected the Jedi Order, and all is well. Only a decade later, his students are all murdered by his nephew, the Empire’s back, and he accomplished nothing. He’s an utter failure as a Jedi (though Luke never realizes he knew jack shit about the Jedi Order and was in way over his head but I guess that’s beyond him). Why shouldn’t he go sit on a rock and wait to die? 

Now, did he have to drink that blue dinosaur milk? Well, I guess it was funny, gross but funny so... Sure, I guess he did. But I do like that he gave Rey 0 training, they had one meditation session and then he whined about how Obi-Wan was such a stupid asshole. And then Rey ran off to be with her boyfriend, who then told her that her parents were gutter trash (which again, was funny, but I don’t think that was supposed to be funny).

Of the characters introduced in the movie, the only one I really liked was the hacker, and it was for the actor/the beautiful way in which he gracefully exited stage left with zero shame going, “You all knew I was going to betray you!” You beautiful man, you.

Rise of the Skywalker

First, when something is called “Rise of the Skywalker” you know you’re in for a rough time.

But anyways, TLJ was filled with a controversy Disney didn’t want (half their audience hated it, half loved it, but at least they sold those penguin dolls) so they desperately get Abrams back. Only, what he clearly wanted from his series has been shot to hell, and now he’s left with Emperor Kylo Ren, a completely obliterated Resistance, a dead Luke, a love interest he never planned to introduce for Finn, Rey’s parental crisis being solved with trash people, Snoke just suddenly dead, Hux planning revenge, and then some.

And so, Abrams goes the brave and hilarious route of shouting “PRETEND THAT LAST MOVIE NEVER HAPPENED”

We open to a fully functioning Resistance (their bomber fleet is back, their fleet period is back, they have all their fully trained personnel). We have Rey getting the Jedi training she needed this time from Leia, who is now a Jedi, because yay feminism rammed down my throat to make the audience feel better. Rose says “It’s cool guys, I don’t want to join the adventure this film, I’m going to stay here and work on robots” so that she can gracefully exit the entire plot. Kylo Ren is demoted from Emperor in two seconds when we discover that a) Snoke was apparently Palpatine b) for unexplained reasons Palpatine’s alive (and I am now convinced that man will never die). Kylo Ren tells Rey at the first opportunity that he lied about her trash parents AND REALLY SHE’S A PALPATINE! THIS WHOLE TIME, REY! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. I’M SUPER SERIAL THIS TIME, REY.

Basically, in the course of an overly long movie, Abrams desperately shoves in everything he was trying to get out of the series, while sobbing, and sobbing even harder when things like Finn being Force Sensitive or Lando having a secret daughter get caught. I actually agree with the Producers on this, by the way, the Finn trying to tell Rey something scenes were weird and indicative of a love triangle but him being Force Sensitive instead... It says a lot that the movies did not change when it was removed, at all. And Lando was just this strange cameo who was in the film to make us feel nostalgic.

And this isn’t even getting to the ridiculous 24 hour time limit (which made me think there should have been some video game style clock in the corner letting us know when Dawn of the Third Day is coming), Palpatine’s other secret army on a secret Sith planet that can be easily taken down by taking out one navigation tower, Rey’s hilarious struggle with the dark side in which she has a vision of herself in a cape hissing, Kylo Ren’s hilarious redemption in which the movie in the form of Leia and Han Solo says, “Alright, Ben, it’s time to stop being evil” and he says “okay”, the fight with Palpatine in which I’m supposed to believe he dies for reals because... I have no idea why I’m supposed to believe he’s dead. The Reylo, god the Reylo, and Kylo Ren’s tragic, hilarious, death.

And then, of course, the ending where Rey decides she’s a Skywalker now.

I actually did laugh all the way through “Rise of the Skywalker”, you can’t not, I mean it’s a hilariously awful movie. The only thing that might have made it more hilarious was if we actually did get those Ewoks.

TL;DR

They’re all bad movies, if you want more specifics than this, you’re just going to have to ask me questions.

[mightydragoon]

Luke and Leia vs the Galaxy

@silvereddaye 

.Our favourite Space Twins against the Empire with varying degrees of success. 

1. Legacy ---myrlendi (thehistorygeek)

Three months after the Battle of Endor, Luke Skywalker goes in search of a rumoured Jedi temple in a secluded part of the Mid Rim. He finds within the temple nothing but a strange artifact, which unexpectedly brings him much closer to the Jedi of old than he ever thought he would be.

When Luke fails to return from his mission, Leia goes after him, retracing his steps to the ancient temple — and to the past, to the time of the Clone Wars and the waning years of the Old Republic. Under suspicion by the Jedi Order, the twins struggle to find a way back to their own time while trying to keep their knowledge of the future from affecting the past.

This, however, turns out to not be as simple as it seems.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/15221810/chapters/35304947

2.  Skywalker Family Values- Ariel_Sojourner

Camp Chippewa is proud to be the Empire’s foremost camp resort for privileged young adults. Located on the picturesque forest moon of Endor, your child will have the opportunity to participate in wholesome outdoor activities and socialize appropriately with their peers. We invite your offspring to join us for the experience of a lifetime and a bright future in service of the greater glory of the Empire.

On opposite sides of the galaxy, on opposite sides of a civil war, Darth Vader and Padme Amidala unwittingly send Luke and Leia to the same camp during school break. Chaos naturally ensues.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/14258124/chapters/32883750

3. Back To The Future - PinkEasterEggs

Teenage Princess Leia, heir to Alderaan's throne and her twin, Luke Vader, heir to the Imperial throne, get thrown back in time with the chance to save their parents before it's too late. With the Force finally on their side, they decide to have a little fun whilst they try and save their father's soul.

What could go wrong?

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22217674/chapters/53048092

(Part of the Back To The Future series. https://archiveofourown.org/series/1648657) 

4. No Time Like The Present - PinkEasterEggs

In a Galaxy where Princess Leia Organa and Imperial Prince Luke Vader didn't Time Travel to save their father's soul, a deadly discovery by their biggest enemy throws their entire lives upside down. Yet again.

Now on the run from the Empire, the Skywalker Twins find it their mission to bring peace back to the Galaxy once more. And with Darth Vader on their trail, that mission is far more complicated than they originally believed.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24754825/chapters/59851300

(Part of the Back To The Future series. https://archiveofourown.org/series/1648657)

5. Great as the Sea-- Valkirin

Rescuing the last of Alderaan's survivors was an important duty, not an obsession, and Leia did not need to take a break. She did not have time to think about Darth Vader, the Force, or Luke Skywalker. It’s just her luck that the Force sends her with Luke Skywalker to a time where Darth Vader is about to rise.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/11384253/chapters/25491066

6. turn my sorrow into treasured gold - cosmicocean:

“It might be better for you to die,” Obi-Wan muses as she holds her children in her arms. Padmé looks up at him and arches an eyebrow.

“I didn’t mean literally,” he clarifies.

“I know what you meant. I’m thinking about it.”

Padmé survives childbirth, dies as far as the rest of the galaxy is concerned, takes her children with Obi-Wan, and runs.

Pay me back in kind and reap just what you sow.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/7435467

7. The Assassin's Blade - LadyVader23

Two years after Order 66, Padme is both an assassin for the Rebellion and a mother of twins. She will stop at nothing to bring democracy back to the Galaxy, even if it means killing Imperials to do it. But news of suspicious assassinations reaches Sidious, who dispatches Vader to hunt down this mysterious assassin. What Vader discovers will change the fate of the Galaxy.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/20432867/chapters/48475367

8. anything is possible the second time around cloverblob

Leia Organa is sure that she died. She laid herself down, ready to become one with the Force. Except that she isn't dead--she hasn't even been born. So how did she end up on Tatooine? And why would fate bring her right here, right now?

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21941050/chapters/52364929

9.  Influence of Time Cateyes1401 and  SkylaDoragon

A freak accident sends Luke, Leia, and Vader splitting off to different points of the galaxy, over twenty years in the past. While Vader is careful to correct any errors his sudden appearance may cause in the timeline, Luke and Leia are not so cautious.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/20333248/chapters/48211621

10.  Laying Down the Sand - Knitzkampf

An AU set at the time of ESB. Han Solo abandons Luke, Leia and Chewie to settle some unfinished business and sparks a series of events that challenges each one's destiny and the fate of the galaxy. An epic tale of friendship, love, family and lightsabers.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/9921947/chapters/22232960

11.  Binary Sunsets, Binary Siblings - Coffeesforcatchers

The projection was as blue as the Tatooinian sky, making it hard for Luke to discern its features. But as the audio began to play, Luke felt his heart seize in his chest.

"Help me, Obi Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope."

Luke stared at the droid, his mouth open. "That's my sister!"

https://archiveofourown.org/works/14111466/chapters/32514372

12.  Deja Vu - oncomingstorm42

Time travel AU fix-it wherein Luke and Leia are sent back in time to halfway through The Phantom Menace. They proceed to unscrew the timeline and save their parents while also kicking ass.

(note* Private story. To read you must have an AO3 account) 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/10408782/chapters/22984893

13. Heralding Home -planningconquest

Family can be what we make of it. It can be lost and found and comes together in strange and amazing ways.

(Note* Modern Au but still same principal applies) 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/17130767/chapters/40288283

14.  Like Fire in Our Bones --- acuteneurosis

With all of the most important things in the galaxy literally exploding around her, Leia is given the chance to go back and help keep a promise she never personally made.

But then, for Skywalkers, saving the galaxy was always a family matter.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19735813/chapters/46710241

15.  I am as Strong as the Seas are Stormy (And as Proud as an Eagle's Scream)- RhiannonOfTheRoses

Leia Skywalker is only hours old when the Empire rises.

Leia Organa is twenty-three when it finally falls.

OR: The one in which Leia Organa is explored, and her life is uncovered.

16.  Of Queens, Knights, and Pawns chancecraz

I went to sleep on the worst day of my life and woke to find myself in the past on the second worst day of my life. As experiences go, I don’t recommend it.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/8543680/chapters/19586203

(Part of the Of Queens, Knights, and Pawns series https://archiveofourown.org/series/825216)

17.  Runaway SilverDaye

Imperial Prince Luke runs away from home to escape his overprotective father Emperor Vader. Jumping from planet to planet he finds himself creditless on Tatooine. While working for more money to leave the planet, Luke meets an old man named Ben Kenobi. But Luke knows he can't stay in one place for long for surely his father is hunting him down.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/14630196/chapters/33813027

18.  take the spade from my hands (and fill in the holes you've made) A_Different_Type_of_Flower

With her dying father's last request, eighteen-year-old Leia Organa sets out for the Outer Rim to find an exiled Jedi master and a brother she knew nothing about.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/9219026/chapters/20908517

19.  Sparks SpellCleaver

Vader had every intention of ignoring that petty—if notorious—burglar on Coruscant, until evidence suggested that this "Angel" had Rebel ties.

Meanwhile, Luke never expected his father to actively hunt him down, and he doesn't like it.

20.  the price of forgetting - surabayuh

 Vader always thought that epiphany would come in waves; in the middle of meditation, perhaps, or a dream while he was resting, giving him unimaginable glee and satisfaction at its revelation.

He’d never thought epiphany would sledgehammer him here, at cell room number 2187, in the middle of an interrogation session, with an unconscious Alderaanian Princess laying on the floor.

(Part of the  the bang the war-drums series) 

(Note* Read the rest of this series seriously its so good) 

21.  heirs of the desert -- surabayuh

There was something about her, something familiar beyond the hairstyle or the attire; It was like a hole in his chest mended back by her presence. They walked closer to one another, slowly, slowly—like a planet realigning to their axis.

Dreams of a different life, a different reality, haunting him for as long as he could remember. Dreams of lush greeneries, of clear blue waters, of a high castle, of a brunette with bright brown eyes crinkling with laughter.

Leia, her name was Leia and he felt like he had known her his whole life, as if he'd known her as old as he had known time.

Around them, the Force sang.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22226950/chapters/53070706

(Part of the  the bang the war-drums series)

22. taste the regret (it's bittersweet.) - surabayuh

Han Solo didn't want much, really; he only agreed to pilot his way away from the grips of Jabba the Hutt, and maybe have a little adventure along the way. That was why he said yes to that old man's offer, back in Tatooine, why he came back to aid the Rebellion, back in Yavin.

But then again, who knew that somewhere down the line, he would have to be the middle-man in a galactic family drama that could determine the very fate of the universe?

Well; certainly not him.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22452316/chapters/53646223

(Part of the  the bang the war-drums series)

23. Endings and Beginnings, and Everything in Between - ITookTheOneLessTravelled

Dad might be mad at them, but Leia doesn't regret it. Luke and Leia Skywalker might be only fifteen, but they'd never have left their Dad in an Imperial prison cell to rot.

OR: Anakin raises the twins. Everything changes, but also nothing does.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/6757639

24.  No Heroes on the High Seas - SpellCleaver

When Luke's aunt and uncle are executed by order of the Emperor's right hand, Lord Vader, he flees his home to search for his sister and the mother he never knew. But then Obi-Wan Kenobi stows away aboard the same ship, Vader gives chase, and Luke is dragged into a conflict that his family are at the very heart of.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/17092340/chapters/40194893

25.  Ad Utrumque Paratus - obeyingthemuse

It's hard to bring balance to the Force when the only method you've seen is your black-cloaked psychic cyborg sorcerer dad with a severe breathing problem throwing an old man down the Death Star reactor shaft. As much as Luke would like to see the not-yet-Emperor dead, he doesn't want to be arrested by his unusually attractive(?) war-hero dad and spend the rest of his indeterminate time in the past dropping Ewok beats in a jail cell. Also Leia would probably kill him. But not before breaking him out of jail.

So when the twins wake up on Tatooine decades in the past, they play it safe. They take over a planet, reconnect with their adoptive and real parents without weirding them out (too much), and accidentally cause the Chancellor perpetual near-death experiences.

Nailed it.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/7168628/chapters/16273712

Tags 

Leia Organa & Luke Skywalker 

[ice-emperor-zane]

Okay, an addition to the ninjago atla au because its angst o’ clock buddy (and theres also various other stuff i should explain about the picrew post)

Lloyd

When Lloyd ran away from the fire nation, of course they were after him, so while he was traveling through the earth nation to get to republic city he had to get a disguise, he naturally has very dark hair but he bleached it which is why he’s blonde and doesn’t really look fire nation, also he may have stolen some clothes made in the earth kingdom so he blends in better. Also he never had freckles until recently because he used to avoid the sun a lot and so his freckles were faded for so long he forgot abt them. He avoided the sun because knew that the sun made firebending stronger, and he knew of the destruction that firebending could cause; the type of firebending he’d been taught was the sort that relied on strong emotions like anger, and im sorry but you cant expect a 12 year old who’s got a lot of pressure on him to regulate his emotions constantly, he’s still trying to figure out how to use his powers without the aid of anger and hatred. He’s no longer so afraid of going out in the sun though because since he ran away he’s been more worried he’ll need his firebending to protect himself from the fire nation than worried he’ll accidentally do any damage to them, and he’s too tired from all the traveling to firebend at all most of the time without the sun.

Jay

Jay has always hated firebending and the way its used in fighting, and so even though he has visited the sun warriors and knows great firebending technique, he decided to never become a master. Though he loves that he can lightningbend, because when its combined with his parent’s metalbending, they created some of the most innovative technology of their time, and he thinks thats way more cool than shooting fire at people. However, Jay can only lightningbend when he’s calm, and he can be a bit panicky sometimes. So, instead of fighting with all the other guys, he often infiltrates the higher ups as an officer for the fire nation army, its concerningly easy, he actually finds it a bit fun. All you have to do is do a quick show of firebending (even though he does hate firebending, he can and will do for pretty much this reason only) and then recite a pledge to the fire nation (Jay is definitely a theatre kid and the way he can lie/act about how much he loves the fire nation with a straight face is terrifying). His current alias is Commander Jin Zhaofeng, and under this name he has gotten inside information on fire nation plans and recruited a small group of soldiers and other low-rank members of the army to he resistance to give him information to pass on to people even when he can’t be there. (He may have also secretly lightningbended into a few higher-ups’ tea if he thought they were going to be endangering people’s lives).

Kai

First of all, Kai definitely has those hair loop thingies Katara had, because he would never pass up a chance to make his hair as extra as possible. Second of all, Kai has a bit of a similar problem to what Child Lloyd did. Kai never had real firebending lessons because in republic city you have to pay for them, and he and Nya grew up basically homeless, nobody knows where Ray and Maya are. Kai’s mad at the world for making him and Nya live like that throughout almost the entirety of their childhoods, pair that anger with his naturally impulsive nature and firebending. As you can imagine, he can be a little bit of a hazard to be arround, but he’s working on it. When he and Lloyd first met Jay at the northern air temple, he did help them with the basic premise of firebending without emotion (though that was only a day or two, because Jay Cole and Nya went on to the northern water tribe, so Kai is still mostly self taught).

Nya

Nya always struggled doing any really powerful bending because of a fear of hurting people. Once in training, she realised that she could actually boil the water she was bending, similar to how Bolin could Lavabend, both are probably because of unused firebending genetics, but yeah, unfortunately the moment that she realised she could do that, she training with one Kai and one of their friends, and Nya accidentally splashed the friend with boiling water. And even though both of she and the friend were quite good at healing through waterbending, it left a bit of a scar. Nya sees the friend often and is constantly reminded of how she hurt them, so in fear of hurting anyone else, she created limits for herself and her bending, but now she and the rest of the group are taking on the fire nation, she wont admit it but she feels way out of her depth, its been so long since she’s tried anything that wouldn’t comply with pro-bending tournament rules, she’s trying to relearn the skills she’d made herself forget and its all a little bit too fast, but that won’t stop her from trying. Oh also the friend mentioned in this is the love interest for Cole mentioned in the original post, and I have a lot more to say about him :)

Cole and Zane’s extra info coming soon, the moment i think of something, along with more info on Garmadon, Harumi, and their evil plan™️

Edit: oki its here

[zelenacat]

When We Were Young- An Obitine Story- Chapter 19

Representative Jaira Deere of the Trade Federation was more than she seemed. After their morning session, which broke for lunch, the Representative was dragged unconscious into the dining room.

“Your Grace-”

Ambassador Dee stood, “Jaira, what happened?”

“We found her by Count Vizsla’s cell, talking to the prisoner,” Gorg explained, “she mentioned something about corruption, but hit her head against the cell before she could be questioned.”

The Ambassador looked deeply saddened, betrayed, almost. Satine knew the feeling.

“Put her next to the Count,” the Duchess ordered, “make sure she gets any medical attention she needs.”

Gorg bowed and went to follow Satine’s orders.

“I must apologize, Your Highness,” Trai Dee bent his knees, “I did not know this would happen.”

“I do not blame you, Ambassador,” Satine said kindly, “we all have been decided in this business.”

After lunch, the trade discussion was finalized. Certain safe trade routes between Mandalore and Coruscant could not be found, so Mandalorian cargo ships were granted access into both Seperatist and Republic space. Of course, this was only allowed when on duty and transporting goods, offending this statute was punishable by imprisonment. To further limit misbehavior, Mandalorian trade ships were only allowed to take off after an inspection and on certain days of the week. Any Mandalorian cargo ship flying on Saturday or Sunday would have its contents thoroughly examined. The Duchess would personally speak with the Dock Managers in the next few days to help smooth the transition.

“I would like to apologize again, Your Grace,” Ambassador Dee frowned, “I can’t believe about Jaira.”

“No need to apologize,” Satine frowned, “war breeds betrayal.”

After a moment of silence, Trai Dee spoke quietly.

“She’s my niece.”

“My sister leads the Death Watch with her childhood friend.”

“We are in a similar position, then.”

Satine looked down, “It is a terrible place to be.”

“If I may, Your Grace,” Ambassador Dee turned, “I would make friends with both the Separatists and the Republic, this war is going to last a long time.”

“I want to stay out of this war.” Satine countered.

“It is impossible,” Dee shook his head, “as the head of the Council of Neutral Systems that would be moral, but you need to protect your people.”

Satine nodded, “And my friendship with the senator offends some.”

“Yes.” 

The Duchess swallowed, “I will take your advice, Ambassador, but for now let’s see to your niece.”

Jaira Deere and Tarrei Vizsla had already been questioned and the Duchess and the Ambassador were given sheets with all the information the guards had gleaned.

“Representative Deere was paid on Coruscant by a Seperatist contact to cause a disruption,” Gorg frowned, “it appears that Count Dooku is invested in taking Mandalore.”

“Why?” Satine growled.

“Many people are trying to bring down Senator Amidala,” Jaym slapped a sheet on the table, “reports of new assasination attempts have just come in.”

“They want to shake her and take out your influence,” Ambassador Dee stood, “I would suggest political maneuverings. I am going to see my niece.”

Satine’s mind whirled. Count Dooku, what did she know about Count Dooku? Death Watch didn’t like him, perhaps she should contact her sister.

“An emergency meeting with my private council,” the Duchess stood, “I need the Prime Minister.”

It took five minutes to assemble everyone and inform them of the situation.

“You must contact your Jedi friends too,” the Prime Minister suggested, “get all the info on Count Dooku.”

A plan wormed into Satine’s head.

“We can give Count Dooku to the Jedi,” she grinned, “we invite him here on friendly premise, and get Death Watch to capture him and send him to the Jedi.”

“That is an ambitious plan.” an advisor sighed.

“It does hinge on many things,” Satine agreed, “but the Count has many enemies.”

While one of Satine’s aides filed to meet with the Jedi Council, Satine discussed the new trading plan with her advisors.

“I shall accompany you when Your Grace visits the docks,” Jaru Djarin decided, “we need to send a message to our people.”

“I agree.”

Satine’s comm dinged, it was Obi-Wan. The Duchess didn’t know if she was furious or enamoured. 

“Your Grace, are you alright?”

“Excuse me.”

Satine hid the fresher and commed her Jedi.

“You filed a petition?” were his first words.

“We’ve a plan to capture Count Dooku.”

Obi-Wan sighed.

“It’s possible, he wants to capture Mandalore.”

“How will allying with him help that?”

“Bo will capture him before it comes to that.”

Satine could hear Obi-Wan arguing with himself mentally.

“Be careful with my children.” he rasped.

“We’ll be fine.” Satine assured, slightly surprised.

When Satine returned, her staff informed her that the Jedi Council would hear her plan.

“Good,” the Duchess nodded, steeling herself, “when?”

“This afternoon,” the Prime Minister answered, “we have much to do.”

After bidding adieu to the Ambassador, Satine contacted Padme for anything and everything that she knew about the Sith Lord. Next, Satine prepared a formal invitation to Mandalore with her ruling council.

“Inviting a Sith Lord to Mandalore?” Countess Barlor gasped.

“Friendly premises,” Governor Eldar added, “what friendly premises?”

“A celebration of our dealings with both the Separatists and the Republic.” Satine answered.

The Prime Minister shook her head, “Not good enough.”

Satine stiffened, she did, of course, have a backup plan, but she hated the idea, and she hadn’t told Obi-Wan about it.

“Duchess?”

“I will ask him if he’s interested in assuming the title of Duke Consort.”

“No!” Countess Bralor gasped.

Silence descended over the council.

“I will invite him to court me,” Satine swallowed, “that is what the visit is for.”

Governor Eldar was gaping.

“That could work.” Prime Minister Djarin said quietly.

In the silence that followed, Satine stood.

“I must speak with my sister.”

In her private parlor, Satine commed a number she hadn’t called since it was given to her.

“Sister?” “Bo,” Satine gasped, “I’m going to ask Count Dooku to court me.”

Bo-Katan Kryze muttered a string of curses that Satine hadn’t heard since they were girls.

“I need you to rally your troops and help me capture him when he comes.”

“Oh,” Bo breathed a sigh of relief, “that’s better.”

“We’re going to hand him over to the Jedi.” 

Bo-Katan was silent for a moment, “That’s ambitious.”

“I won’t underestimate him.”

“Satine,” her sister groaned, “have you thought about this?”

“Yes, Bo.”

Bo-Katan was silent for a moment.

“Let me know when he’ll arrive in Sundari.”

“Thank you.”

Now, the Duchess realized, she was at the hardest part.

“Should I send him a letter first?” Satine asked Jaru.

“Send him a hologram through our Separatist Diplomat, ask to speak with him privately.” suggested the Prime Minister.

Satine recorded the hologram in her personal parlor. Running over what she would say as Parna tightened her corset, Satine found herself exceedingly nervous.

“You won’t actually marry him,” Khaami assured, “it’ll be alright.”

“Still,” Satine stiffened, “a Sith Lord?”

Khaami raised an eyebrow. Fortunately, the Duchess’ comm rang.

“He-”

“Satine, tell me it’s not true!”

“Padme, I-”

“Your meeting with the Jedi Council about a Seperatist problem,” the Senator read, “do tell me what that problem is and how Count Dooku relates to it.”

Satine sighed, “We’re going to trick him and send him into Republic custody.”

“Why is that any of your business?”

“I need connections to both sides.”

“Satine, no-”

“Padme, it’s the only way to save my people,” the Duchess argued, “we need friends, not enemies.”

“Satine, this will only make you enemies.” countered Senator Amidala.

“Padme,” Satine swallowed, “I’m going to ask if he will court me.”

Silence.

“What the actual, kriffing-”

“Shut up, Anakin,” Padme called, “Satine’s not serious.”

“I am,” the Duchess reiterated, “if he courts me, I will contract the Death Watch to fight for him.”

“Oh, Satine-”

“I also intend to show my support for the Jedi.”

“How?” Anakin spat.

“Ani-”

“Satine, really?”

“Korkie will accompany our ambassador to the Republic Senate to allow the Jedi free reign of Mandalorian space and ask if Master Vos and his Padawan would appreciate an extended stay on Mandalore.”

“Satine,” Padme’s voice was shaky, “this is very dangerous.”

“I know.”

“Then why?” Padme whispered.

“Count Dooku is invested in taking Mandalore, we captured his players,” Satine explained, “and if we’re neutral, we’re in more danger than if we are tied to both sides.”

“Satine,” Anakin spoke up, “if you invite him to meet you, he might sense the twins.”

The Duchess grew cold, “What?”

“Force users can sense other force users,” Anakin swallowed, “even if they aren’t born yet.”

Satine cursed, something she almost never did.

“Another reason why this is a bad idea.” Padme added.

“He might not respond right away,” Satine stated, “he could wait.”

“Satine, I have to go,” Padme frowned, “but know I don’t like this.”

“Good luck with the Council.” Anakin added.

The Duchess sighed, “Thanks.”

Satine looked up, Khaami took back the comm.

“We’re ready.” Parna announced, stepping out of the frame.

The Duchess straightened, Khaami nodded, “Good evening, Count Dooku, I trust you know I am Duchess Satine of Mandalore. I have a proposition with for you-”

Here, she took a breath.

“My people need allies that can provide security, and I would like assistance on that matter from the Seperatist Alliance,” Satine continued, “my advisors and I were very disappointed with Jaira Deere, but we are willing to look past this and offer you the title of Duke of Mandalore.”

“Should you accept, an agreement will need to be reached and the public informed,” Satine smiled pleasantly, “I hope you consider my proposal with seniority.”

Khaami turned off the hologram, Parna heaved a sigh of relief.

“I will have this transferred to our Seperatist Ambassador,” Khaami stood, “I wish you the best of luck with the Jedi Council.”

“Thank you, Khaami,” Satine nodded, “it will be quite the day.”

Downstairs in the meeting room, Satine’s personal advisors were waiting along with Jaru. Satine sat at the head of the table and signaled to the Prime Minister she was ready.

“Duchess Satine,” a blue form of Master Windu greeted, “we have been told you wish to discuss the Separatists and Count Dooku.”

“Yes,” Satine nodded, “our recent capture of a Seperatsist informant has led us to conclude Count Dooku wants to take Mandalore-”

“Certain, are you?”

“Yes,” Satine straightened, “and we’ve sent him a hologram inviting him to visit Sundari.”

“Are you going to ally with the Separatists?” asked a familiar voice.

“No,” Satine turned to Obi-Wan, “we intend to capture him using Death Watch and turn him into you.”

“Death Watch,” Master Windu frowned, “your enemies?”

“My sister,” Satine began, “the leader of the resistance movement against me, has already agreed to the plan. Death Watch despises Count Dooku.”

There came a moment of silence.

“Sure he will come, are you?”

“The Count is an ambitious man,” Satine frowned, “we have offered him a much sought after title that would give him more power in the galaxy.”

Master Kenobi frowned, “What exactly is that title?”

Satine looked to Jaru, who nodded.

“Duke Consort of Mandalore.”

Master Windu stiffened, “If you are capable of such a plan, how do we know you are not deceiving us?”

“In a few hours,” Satine continued, “I will step down as Head of the Council of Neutral systems, my main goal is to protect my people, Master Jedi, and Death Watch and all the betrayal this war has caused my system proved that peace is not the best tactic.”

In the quiet that followed, Satine shifted. One of the twins got her father’s devious genes and was kicking her bladder. Nasty. Speaking of Obi-Wan Kenobi, his face was a mask, but the Duchess learned how to read him a long time ago. He was mad, worried, and needed time to think.

“Court you, Count Dooku will, hm?”

“Yes.” Satine nodded.

“Consider your options you must,” Master Yoda stated, “help protect your people, the Republic can.”

“That is also why, while the Count is courting me, I am willing to open up Mandalorian space to Jedi spacecraft.”

Master Yoda considered this.

“Thin line, you are walking.”

“The Duchess is more than capable of doing her duty,” Prime Minister Djarin spoke up, “I am certain she will protect Mandalore.”

“How long will it take you to get Dooku in custody?” Master Ti asked.

“It will depend on how quickly he comes to Mandalore.” Satine responded.

“I suggest we send a Jedi to Mandalore,” Master Mundi suggested after a silence, “to help Her Grace and serve as an extra guard.”

“I volunteer my services if they are needed.”

Satine looked to Obi-Wan’s blue figure, he was staring at her.

“Thank you, master Kenobi,” Master Windu frowned, “but you’ve not yet returned from the Outer Rim and even then we have a job for you.”

“Anakin, then?” Obi-Wan asked.

“Need him too, we do.” Master Yoda dissented.

“Master Vos, perhaps,” Satine offered, “I believe he’s not integrally involved in the war effort.”

Master Mundi looked to Master Yoda.

“You’ve met Master Vos?” Master Ti asked.

“I’ve had the pleasure.” Satine responded dryly.

Obi-Wan smirked, and the Duchess found herself smiling too.

“Master Vos then,” Master Windu nodded, “and I believe his Padawan is Mandalorian.”

“Yes,” Master Yoda looked to Satine, “Mandalorian, she is.”

“Then she’s not an off-worlder,” an advisor of the Duchess’ added, “so she may carry her weapon.”

Satine shifted, Baby A, who had kicked earlier, still seemed to want to wrestle.

“Thank you for your initiative, Your Highness,” Master Windu smiled to the best of his ability, “we shall send Master Vos and his Padawan once Count Dooku has made his intentions clear.”

“You are very kind, Master Jedi, thank you.”

The comm ended, Satine breathed a sigh of relief and sank in her chair.

“Who shall you nominate in your place as Head of the council of Neutral systems?” asked Jaru.

“Senator Kin Robb,” the Duchess answered without hesitation, “her help has been invaluable to me and her planet is in the process of leaving both the Republic and the Seperatist Alliance.”

“Shall I schedule a call for you, Your Grace?” asked an advisor.

“Yes, thank you,” Satine stood, “I want to make my intentions known as soon as possible.”

The Duchess took the elevator up to her floor and would’ve collapsed if Jaym had not been there to catch her.

“Your Grace?”

“I’m alright,” Satine huffed, “help me to my room, Jaym.”

The guard did as he was told.

“Bring me Nurse Hera,” Satine ordered, climbing onto her bed, “and see if you can find my ladies.”

In the meantime, the Duchess struggled to undo her corset. Fortunately, when she was about half way through, her ladies appeared with Hera in tow.

Parna rushed to help her lady with her corset strings, “Oh, Satine.” 

“What are your symptoms?” Hera asked, opening her bag.

“They’re just active,” Satine sighed, “and it really hurts when they kick.”

“You're about six months and two weeks, correct?” Hera questioned.

“Yes.”

Satine groaned and fell backward as the pressure on her stomach released. She had a significant bump now, and the Duchess ran her hands along the hump that her twins had made.

“Alright,” Hera began, hands clean, “I’m going to check their placement and movement.”

Hera did, while Khaami answered Satine’s comm for her.

“This is Lady Khaami.”

“Hello, Lady Khaami, this is the Prime Minister,” Jaru’s voice crackled, “please tell Her Grace that I scheduled a dinnertime call with the Council of Neutral systems.”

“I will, thank you.”

Satine whined as Hera hit a pressure point.

“I think you need some time away from the corset,” Hera advised, “the girls need space to grow.”

With a sigh, Satine argued that she couldn’t do that.

“Perhaps you could call in from your room,” Parna suggested, “just your upper body on camera and we could tell the palace staff you’re feeling quite tired.”

“Hm,” Satine took a second to respond, “that could work.”

“More than a few hours would be beneficial,” Hera frowned, “are there any holes in your schedule tomorrow?”

“I think we’ll just be waiting for Count Dooku���s response,” Satine confessed, “but we also have to implement the new trade guidelines.”

“Stay in as long as you can.” Hera advised. “The Prime Minister and the Ruling Council can help with that,” Khaami offered, “I think you should rest.”

Satine sighed, “So do I.”

Parna stood, “I’ll prepare a comfortable outfit for this evening.”

Suddenly, Hera frowned.

“Satine, when was the last time you ate?”

The Duchess blushed, “Breakfast.”

Hera looked to Khaami. 

She stood, “I suppose that’s my cue.”

Hera laughed, nodding.

Satine sighed, “This is quite the mess I’m getting myself into.”

“Now you see it.” Parna agreed, returning with a dress.

“Parna,” Satine suddenly spoke up, “will you ask the PR Department to run a poll?”

“What do you want to ask?” questioned the lady.

“Whether or not people feel safe on Mandalore,” Satine stated, “whether or not they have confidence in the government, and what they think of the war and their Duchess.”

Parna raised an eyebrow, “Heavy questions.”

“Still.” Satine frowned.

With a sigh, Parna agreed. 

“I checked on that droid you have,” Hera spoke up, “it should be able to help assist in the delivery.”

“The battery is fixed?”

Hera grinned, “We had an extra one in the med bay.”

Satine considered herself pleased.

“And Khaami showed me the birthing chamber,” Hera hesitated, “it’s primal yet functional.”

Satine laughed, “This isn’t my first experience with birth.”

Hera’s eyes went wide, but raised her hands as the Duchess went to explain.

“I already know the father’s name is Ben,” the nurse stated, “and the less I know the better.”

Satine smiled softly, “Thank you.”

Khaami came in with a huge tray then, and Satine squealed in delight.

“I know,” the lady smiled, “I asked for your favorite tea too.”

Satine took the tray on her lap, which was harder to balance than it should’ve been.

“How have the pills been going?” Hera questioned.

The Duchess blushed, “Parna has to remind me most nights.”

Hera sighed.

“But I take them.” Satine added, hopeful. “That’s good.”

The Duchess ate and Hera bid goodbye. When Parna returned and Satine had finished, she changed into a silk nightgown and wrapped elegant furs over her chest and laced shoulders.

“Let me fix your hair.” Parna offered.

While she did this, Khaami fetched Satine’s favorite silver circlet with an emerald embedded in the center. Next, she set up the call zone.

“And,” Parna put the circlet on Satine’s head, “done.”

“Thank you,” Satine stood, “let’s hope this goes down easy.”

Khaami and Parna took their ceremonial places behind Satine after the lighting in her parlor was fixed.

“We’re ready now.” Khaami whispered.

Satine pressed a button.

“Duchess Satine,” Representative Uru nodded politely, “your Prime Minister said you wished to speak with us.”

“Yes,” Satine breathed, “it is my wish to step down from my position as Head of the Council of Neutral Systems.”

A beat of silence followed.

“I am not joining the war,” Satine clarified, “but our neutral stance has been jeopardizing the safety of my people, and I have decided to remove myself from a position where Mandalore can be manipulated for malintent.”

Representative Uru spoke first, “It is a noble cause, to protect one’s people, and I believe this Council is understanding of your situation.”

“Thank you.” Satine inclined her head.

“Who do you intend to nominate as your successor?” asked a fellow Council member.

“I would like to nominate the Honorable Kin Robb,” Satine stated, looking to the former Senator, “as my understudy, I believe she knows the ins and outs of the job and will perform them to the best of her ability.”

The woman smiled at the Satine, grateful for her words.

“If there are no objections in the quorum,” Representative Uru spoke up, “then we shall begin the process of transition for you, Duchess.”

No one spoke up.

Satine placed a hand to her chest, “You have my gratitude, esteemed members of the Council.” 

“You will still be a member of this body?” the farmer Senator asked.

“I shall,” Satine nodded, “but I shall take a less public role.”

After the video call, Satine had a strange craving for celery.

“Not surprising.” Khaami snorted, “I’ll go get some.”

“Thank you.” Satine grinned.

[guiltysecretpasttime]

The Right Beifong

This fanfic was somewhat inspired by @roseagate 's post , but going a different route.

Preview: 

For all the bad blood between them, there was no one else that the Beifong sisters would trust with their secrets but each other.

One might argue that guilt may have motivated Suyin’s actions. Lin learned not to question it, not when a secret has remained undetected for more than a decade.

Who knew that it would all unravel in a hospital room in Republic City.

-----

For all the bad blood between them, there was no one else that the Beifong sisters would trust with their secrets but each other.

One might argue that guilt may have motivated Suyin’s actions. Lin learned not to question it, not when a secret has remained undetected for more than a decade.

Who knew that it would all unravel in a hospital room in Republic City.

-----

Briiiing! Briiiiiiiiing! Brii-!

A gray-haired metalbender extended her arm from under the blankets and silenced her alarm clock immediately.

It was like any other day – another weekday, another workday, another day in the life of Chief Lin Beifong.

She got up and left her bed unmade (if it was good enough for her to sleep in last night, it would be good enough for her later tonight), mentally going through her tasks and schedule for the day. Stretching as she padded to the bathroom, she rubbed her face, flinging away the lingering grasp of sleep.

Stepping under the spray of lukewarm water, she lathered up. She gingerly soaped a two-day old wound near her left rib. The wound was small but deep; a perfect candidate for a new scar.

Chief Beifong did not have a lot of concern over her multiple scars and bruises. She had acquired several through out the years in service.  As she let the lather run down her body, she recalled where she got each of them, welts and scars that stand as various badges of honor that denote bravery (or foolishness) while on duty.  

There was one particular scar, however, that Lin Beifong regarded as a symbol of all that is precious to her, a hidden sacrifice made, one that she values more than any accolade given to her as Chief Beifong.

-----

On the other side of Republic City, beyond the bay and on Air Temple Island, Tenzin just finished joining a meditation session for the (new!) airbenders. Never in his life would he have imagined that his wild older brother would have successfully led a calming meditation session. Never mind the notion that Bumi would the epitome of the fun-loving airbending Air Nomads that their father knew from his childhood – it had sounded so absurd ten years ago.

But now, Tenzin could barely get back home without nodding at an airbender in greeting. Harmonic Convergence brought back the Air Nation without any form of intervention from him and his wife.

His wife…

He also greeted his wife with a nod as he passed the kitchen on the way to his study. Breakfast will not be ready in the communal dining area until half past the hour, so he had time to spare.

He flipped open the newspaper an acolyte had delivered to his study, as always. With the Kuvira debacle having been wrapped, the master airbender hoped to read good news or trivial matters from the papers. At the corner of the front page was a feature on the latest activities of the Republic City Police Department. He frowned to himself.

It was one of his secret past times – which he found himself clinging to as of late – keeping tabs on the life of the Chief of Police.

There was not anything wrong with what he was doing, just a friend checking on the welfare of another friend.

The past years had brought him back closer to this childhood friend (at least, closer than it had been for a decade or so). The fast pacing of the events that the Avatar brought about left him (or them? He wondered) little time to reflect on this rediscovered friendship.

But now, the past months following Kuvira’s sentencing presented him opportunity to delve into his thoughts (there’s still a lot to be done in the Earth Kingdom, of course, and Republic City is still adjusting to the new spirit portal – but it was relatively tame compared to the escape of the Red Lotus).

While the city was still busy in rebuilding and getting back on track, Tenzin realized with a pang that his interactions with Lin are now limited to being in the periphery (each had their own separate roles to play in the city). Their paths intersected less and less. He then started to rely on the news to hear about her (it was through the morning paper that he learned of the skirmish that had injured Lin; he had half a mind to go to her office and demand that she take a day off to recuperate before he held himself in check – he did not have the right to do that, after all).

Having more time to process the events (and overanalyze them, a snarky voice at the back of his mind which sounded a lot like Lin) of the past four years, Tenzin could not help but wonder about the possibilities and batter himself with the what if’s.

Were all the pain and arguments that he had in past useless in light of the present reality? Would Harmonic Convergence bring about that many airbenders anyway without his involvement–thus making his sacrifice irrelevant? Then again, it was probably only his mother and himself who believed he had sacrificed what’s important to him in pursuit of his duty – his heart and her love.

-----

At the opposite end of Air Temple Island, Suyin Beifong was strolling with her husband towards the dining area. They had been en route to Zaofu when she decided to make a detour and drop by Republic City – Opal was known to be assigned to the area after all.

Post-Kuvira, the airbenders continued their peacekeeping missions – both in assistance to those affected in the Earth Kingdom and those impacted by the new spirit portal in Republic City.

Opal Beifong was tasked to join those aiding the latter.

Upon learning this, the Metal Clan’s matriarch breathed a sigh of relief, the farther Opal was from the Earth Kingdom disturbances, the safer she would be.

Or so they thought.

-----

Later that mid-day…

It was difficult to pinpoint exactly what happened as it occurred so fast.

One moment, Opal was moving some spirit vines, helping clear a pathway. The next moment, a sinkhole opened up, pulling her down. Several spirits had panicked, jostling and hitting her.

Alarm was raised as the young airbender fell unconscious, both from injuries brought about (inadvertently) by the spirits and falling headfirst into the sinkhole.

With the hospital still being rebuilt and the healers thinly spread, medical attention was paltry at best.

Kai had quickly headed to Air Temple island to get reinforcements; the severity of the injuries sustained would require a master healer.

Kya readily offered her services and Suyin and Baatar Sr. were immediately sought on the island. With the amount of bleeding, the healers had requested them to be on standby for transfusion.

Time was of the essence.

With the help of the acolytes, Kai and Kya loaded additional medical supplies on Lefty. They had just left the island when Suyin and Baatar Sr. came rushing to the courtyard, having been summoned by an acolyte.

Suyin was about ask her staff to ready their airship instead when Tenzin arrived, unhesitatingly offering Oogi to transport them to the hospital.

Tenzin adjusted the reins on Oogi while Su assisted Baatar Sr in getting unto the saddle. “Which hospital are we heading to?” He was not there when Kai had given the details.

Su said the name of the hospital then added, “But first we must go to police headquarters – let’s pick up Lin.”

The airbender gripped the reins tighter, coaxing the sky bison to rise towards the city. “We can go to the hospital first – I’ll drop you both then I can go to headquarters to get Lin.” He felt that the parents might need to get to Opal ahead and he said as much.

“I know but we need Lin there.” The younger Beifong sister insisted.

Catching Baatar’s eye who silently nodded, Tenzin changed course to head towards where Chief Beifong was. Su’s tone brooked no argument and it was not the right time to question her with Opal’s life on the line.

Oogi’s arrival at police headquarters was noticeable enough that the Chief of Police herself had come running to the forecourt.

“It’s Opal.”

Su’s proclamation caused all the blood to drain from Lin’s face.

Gathering her bearings quickly, she called out. “Captain Gupta! You’re in-charge until further notice.” Without further ado, she bolted herself beside her sister on the saddle using the metal cables.

If Tenzin found the sudden onslaught of emotion on the normally stoic metalbender’s face inexplicable, he did not dare comment on it.

-----

Kya had taken over from the tired healer at the hospital. She ran her hands over the airbender.

Opal’s condition was stable – for now, at least.

Most of the injuries have been addressed by the healers but the unconscious teen would still need blood replenishment. Any tonic or medicine that would contribute to blood replenishment was out of stock. Her chance now lies on actual transfusion; it needs to be hastened as Kya felt that part of her injury was spirit inflicted.

There was something odd about the child’s aura as well.

Now that she thought about it, she noticed it when she first met the Beifong but had thought nothing of it.

Now she wondered if that might be why the spirit injuries are affecting her differently.

The doors flung open and in entered the girl’s parents and to her surprise, her brother and the girl’s aunt as well.

“How is she?” The mother fervently asked, moving closer to the young airbender.

“She needs transfusion to counter the spirit-injuries.” Kya opened her palms upward helplessly. “Bolin and Korra had already brought in spirit water from the portal but,” She addressed the people in the room in general. “The spirit water does not seem to do her any good.”

“There must be something you can do.” Lin stressed out.

“Blood transfusion may work.” The waterbender proceeded to share the pros, cons and the chance rate of the treatment working. She asked for consent to go ahead with the procedure.

Before Su or Baatar can say anything, Lin agreed. “We’ll take the chance.”

Kya was about to clarify that it was parental consent needed when Su laid a hand on Lin’s shoulder. “We’ll do it.”

-----

Tenzin stayed with the Beifongs throughout the procedure.

After all, Opal was part of the fledgling Air Nation now, so it was the least he could do, he rationalized. It definitely was not because he saw how Lin’s shoulders slumped while Kya prepared for the procedure. It was also not because he saw how Lin sat alone and apart from her sister as Su curled against Baatar Sr, probably seeking some strength in her husband’s arms.

He ignored Lin’s protests when he volunteered for the transfusion as well. He pretended not to notice the significant look at the Su shot at him and Lin. He thought that his contribution would not be anywhere helpful but he could not (would not, should not) let Lin experience it alone (he refused to examine this thought – at least until tomorrow’s morning newspaper read).

The airbender sat beside Lin during the entire ordeal close enough to touch yet unwilling to close the gap.

His sister entered the waiting room, wearing a troubled expression.

The Beifongs sat up in attention at Kya’s entry.

“They don’t match.”

Kya’s statement echoed in the cold sterile room.

The waterbender continued to say she did not understand why it didn’t and why Opal’s body was rejecting the transfusion. If the child’s best matches do not match, where else can she source the transfusion? There was not enough blood replenishment tonics in the city and sourcing it from the Earth Kingdom would take them at least a day (and at this point, a day wasted might have been a day to make a difference).

There was a sharp intake of breath beside him after Kya’s pronouncement.

“Lin?” Tenzin finally reached out, touching Lin’s arm lightly. He still knew how to read the nuances of Lin’s feelings – her eyebrows drawn together, lips stretched, and eyes widened: she was afraid; he became worried.

The woman beside him jolted as though surprised that he was still there. But when Lin’s eyes alighted on him, Tenzin saw her fear intensify.

What was she afraid of?

She shook her head and then attempted to lift the airbender’s hand from her arm. Tenzin clasped her hand instead.

“Lin,” He repeated. “Are you okay?”

Kya paused at her explanations, looking concerned.

Su and Baatar both directed their attention to him; they did it so synchronously that he would have laughed if it were a light situation.

Su’s face mirrored her older sister’s as something akin to comprehension dawned on her.

But what? What are they afraid of?

He was about to break up the uncomfortable silence when a man in healer robes burst into the room.

“Master Kya! The other two samples were accepted, we can proceed!”

Kya barely excused herself as she joined the other healer back into the other room to continue into the transfusion proper.

Lin slipped lower into her seat, pulling her hand from Tenzin and hugging herself.

“That’s good news, right?” Tenzin tried to divert the peculiar tension that had formed in the room. “It’s a good indication that Opal would be receptive to this procedure, right?”

Lin nodded while avoiding his eye; the married couple at the opposite side instantly confirmed this.

Tenzin once again bore witness to how the Beifong sisters had a stare down.

Su turned away first, “Alright then, we’ll leave you for a while.”

“Thank you.” Lin, in an uncharacteristic move, stood up to hug her sister and brother-in-law.

“No matter what happens, Lin – I’ll always be at your side.” Su murmured from her perch at Lin’s shoulder.

Her husband’s arm around her shoulder, Su exited the room along with Baatar Sr.

Tenzin sat in silence, waiting until Lin felt read to address him.

Lin Beifong sat back down, cradling her face in her hands. She took several deep breathes while Tenzin rubbed her back in an attempt to soothe her.

Tenzin saw the moment that Lin made a decision when she sat straight and finally made eye contact with him.

“Tenzin,” She swallowed. “I-I well, you see, that’s -,” After a few false starts, Lin shook her head. “Don’t you see it?” She bit her lip in consternation. “Didn’t you wonder what samples the healer was talking about?”

“Well, ours, obviously.” He waved a hand carelessly. “Good thing you let me do this otherwise, we would have been stuck trying to figure out how to help Opal. I’m sure her parents would eventually figure something out though…” Tenzin’s voice trailed off as realization set.

Her parents.

Opal’s parents.

Opal’s parents whose blood did not match with hers and was rejected for the transfusion.

And yet…

“Lin,” He breathed out. “Can you explain to me ­why our samples were accepted?”

Tenzin had an inkling. He now understood why the metalbenders were afraid. He was afraid to hear what his former partner had to say as well.

But he needed to know.

Snippets from the past years that had confused him started to make sense with his hypothesis.

But again, he needed to know straight from Lin Beifong.

“Tenzin, let me tell you all about your role in the parentage of Opal Beifong.”

[phroyd]

In the decades since the death of Frank Zappa, scores of film-makers had approached his wife and business partner Gail about making a documentary about the star. “They got an infinite amount of noes,” said their son Ahmet Zappa to the Guardian. “None of them had the right approach.”

That is, until actor and director Alex Winter made a different pitch. “I wasn’t interested in making a typical music documentary about some rock star guitar hero,” he said. “I was interested in who Frank Zappa was as a man and his relationship to his art and the world around him. What were his values and struggles? And I wanted to be honest about his contradictions, of which there were many.

“In Zappa-land,” he said, “everything is paradoxical.”

The resulting film, titled Zappa, presents a nuanced and authoritative portrait of an artist who may have spoken prodigiously to the media during his lifetime about his music and politics but who remained oddly aloof as a person. It helped immeasurably in forming a fuller portrait of the man that Gail Zappa not only gave Winter free access to the gigantic vault of his music and video work, but also spoke for the film in the months before she herself died in 2015 of lung cancer. (Frank died of prostate cancer 22 years before). When Gail started talking to Winter she knew she was sick. So he began filming even before he got financing for the project. Crucially, he also secured final cut of the film from the Zappa estate, which is run by the four children, with Ahmet at the helm. “We wanted this to be a warts-and-all portrait,” Ahmet Zappa said. “This was Alex’s point of view.”

But even with that access, it wasn’t easy for Winter to get to the heart of Zappa, a man who always conveyed a bulletproof confidence in his own vision and philosophy. “I was really interested in getting behind that mask,” Winter said.

To do so, he went back to the artist’s beginning, aided by footage of a young Zappa with his mother and father, to whom he bore a striking resemblance, as well as to old tapes of him talking about his childhood fascinations. A treasured toy for Frank growing up was a gas mask. His father worked at a company that manufactured poison materials during the second world war. Frank also became fascinated with chemicals, putting them to pointed use as a teenager. “I tried to set fire to the high school,” he said in vintage footage.

Zappa first became attracted to music after encountering a collection of work composed by Edgard Varèse that was described as “literally the most frightening, evil, vile thing a human being could listen to”, Zappa recalled.

“I couldn’t understand why people didn’t love it the minute they heard it,” he said.

Zappa became equally attracted to the grinding blues of Elmore James and Johnny “Guitar” Watson, but when he picked up a guitar and taught himself to play in emulation, his parents sternly discouraged him. Likewise, when he formed his first band, a racially mixed unit that slammed out hard R&B, the local California community viewed them “as a threat to decency”.

Undaunted, Zappa began making scores of recordings for himself and others, including a sketchy guy who wanted him to make a soundtrack for his stag party. The result, though utterly un-erotic, wound up getting the young musician busted by the vice squad who threw him in jail. “That really knocked him on his ass,” Winter said. “It woke him up to how much animosity there was towards someone like him, just for being him.”

At the same time, Zappa had the savvy to locate the right musicians to flesh out his aural aspirations. In 1965, he formed the first Mothers of Invention, a unit that didn’t sound or act like any other band of the time. Besides their unusual music, they mocked the emerging hippie movement, the trendy drug culture, as well as the larger art world around them. “Frank didn’t adhere to any movements,” Winter said.

He also didn’t interact with his band members in the usual way. “This wasn’t a bunch of guys who came together and made decisions equally,” Ahmet Zappa said. “Frank was the magician, and the band were his magical tool belt of people who could play the kind of music he was writing.”

Frank Zappa performing with the Mothers of Invention. Photograph: Cal Schenkel

According to those who played with him, Zappa was hardly the warmest of leaders. “I don’t ever remember him embracing anybody,” ex-Mother Bunk Gardner said in the film. According to Winter, “he could be a martinet. All of the musicians had varying degrees of resentment or unresolved issues with the way he just dispatched people after working with them. At the same time, they all looked at the period when they worked with him as the most fruitful of their artistic lives.”

Zappa could be equally chilly in his dealings with women. In the film, a friend of Gail’s recalls that, just after Frank met her, he told the friend “tell her if she wants to fuck, she’ll have to come over”.

But their marriage became a powerful, loving and enduring one, lasting for the rest of the musician’s life. There was, however, a caveat. Zappa carved out his own life within the framework of the marriage. “When Frank was on the road, he lived his life like a rock star,” Ahmet said. “He was a real cock-smith. When I asked my mother about it, I got this strange look.”

“People are human and it hurts, and she says so in the film,” Winter said. “There’s no doubt he was a sexist.”

Zappa had an unusual relationship with his children as well. On the one hand, they were “a primary source of his entertainment”, Ahmet said. “When he was with you, you had his entire attention.”

But, by dint of his obsession with work, he spent far more of his time on the road or recording music than with his family. He also spent lots of time of giving interviews for a practical reason. Zappa knew he was far more likely to get attention for his provocative quotes than for his music, which many found difficult, if not baffling. Even some who considered themselves fans of his didn’t understand Zappa’s intention, viewing him, reductively, as just an eccentric guitar God with freak appeal. In fact, said Winter, “Frank wasn’t a rock musician at all. He was just using different genres in the service of his work as an avant-garde composer.”

‘When Frank was on the road, he lived his life like a rock star.’ Photograph: Dan Carlson

Still, in order to turn that rarefied role into a sustained career, Zappa had to draw on another key part of his character – as a realist. While he had contempt for the way business can corrupt art, he became his own kind of businessman – and a surprisingly adept one, running a long-running indie label for his music and video work along with his wife. “He and Gail were operating their own mom and pop boutique,” Winter said. “They had to be incredibly clever and resourceful.”

In order to pull that off, Zappa also felt he had to be combative. In his view, it was him and his family against the world, a stance which exacerbated his public image as smug and condescending. Even the most rare and intimate footage in the documentary never catches Zappa conveying a whiff of conventional vulnerability. Still, Winter believes there was more openness to both the musician, and to his work, than it seems on the surface. “He’s not singing or talking about his pain the way John Lennon did,” the director said, “but Frank is still a very personal artist in the sense that he was always focused on chronicling his life experience. He was pouring out his soul in his own way.”

That often involved humor. “Frank used humor the way Spike Jones did - as an instrument to convey a kind of emotion and to unseat the audience,” Winter said.

Towards the end of his life, two important events took place which the film chronicles: first, Zappa’s trip to a just-liberated Czech Republic, where he was greeted like a messiah of free expression. Then there was his work with the classical group the Ensemble Modern, who came the closest to performing his music the way it lived in his mind.

In the years since his death, Zappa’s reputation in that community has only increased. “The part of the music world that dismissed Frank the most in his lifetime is now the one that takes him the most seriously,” Winter said. “Now, most of the classical world considers him one of the greatest 20th-century composers that America has produced. They did not think that when he was alive.”

Still, Winter doesn’t believe Zappa ever became bitter, either about the earlier reception to his work or about facing mortality at 53. “Towards the end of his life, he realized that people were beginning to get the substance of who he was as an artist,” he said. “And to him, on a deep level, that was very satisfying.”

Zappa will be released digitally in the US on 27 November with a UK date to be announced

Phroyd