Star Wars:Blackout/Story

Catherine awoke in her bed in a haze and tried to remember what happened the night before but she the only thing she could remember was a bad Lightsaber duel with Mace Windu, which lead to her having to go to the infirmary. Catherine was a war orphan, her parents disappeared during the Battle of Naboo in 32 BBY, which afterword it was discovered she was Force Sensitive and taken to the Temple and for the past ten years she had been training to become a Jedi. Unlike most, her chosen Lightsaber color was a Darksaber, the reason she chose this color or at least the reason she had told everyone was to keep up with her family name of Black. After getting dressed, Catherine opened the door out of the infirmary to find an infant girl sitting there, she had red hair, emerald eyes and fair skin.

Catherine asked "Hello and who might you be?"

The girl just simply raised her hands and made a happy-sounding noise. Catherine picked her up and she started to giggle with glee. Catherine started to walk the infant down to the daycare center when the infant started to bounce Catherine's breasts and she had no care for the infant doing it, instead she just listened into surrounding talks of the people around her, who paid no attention to her.

One of the Jedi Padawans mumbled "Did you hear? Palpatine was arrested by the Jedi last night, he lost an arm!"

The other one whispered "Yeah, I also heard Master Kenobi slayed General Grevious a few days ago and the war will be over in a few months!"

Catherine smiled and looked at the child "Did you hear that little one? No war for you!"

The child returned her smile and Catherine found herself at the daycare center door. Catherine flipped the switch for the door to open and found a human female nurse looking over a few infants, she turned and smiled at the two standing in the doorway.

Catherine said "Hey Bonnie."

Bonnie was an old friend of Catherine's, only a couple years younger then herself, she had actually been confused for her sister on several occasions since they resembled each other in many ways, and had been training to become a Jedi Healer and while training, she had been assigned to babysit the children in the daycare center.

Bonnie waved "Hey Catherine, who is the kid?"

Catherine said "Oh, I found her outside my room a few minutes ago, I figured you would know who she is."

Just then Bonnie's supervisor walked in with a datapad.

Bonnie bowed "Greetings Master Williamson."

Williamson said "Hello Bonnie, do you need something?"

Bonnie nodded "Miss Catherine found this infant outside her room, we don't know who she is."

Williamson inspected the infant for a minute before snapping his fingers. "I recognize her, she arrived to the Temple a few days ago, she's been a little pain in my as...she's been a little pain since she arrived."

Catherine asked "Why's that?"

Williamson replied "She picked the damn lock to her crib twice, and used the Force to open the door. She's gotten out about three times."

Bonnie asked "So who is she?"

Williamson keyed his datapad "Well it seems...she is your sister Miss Black."

Catherine felt eyes widen in shock, her blood freeze over and nearly dropped the infant in her arms to the floor at the word sister. Before Catherine could even speak, she felt the infant be taken from her hands by Bonnie.

Bonnie asked "Are you going to be alright Cat?"

Catherine nodded slowly "Yeah...uh, Master Williamson...what's her name?"

Williamson said "Uh.. Elizabeth Black."

Elizabeth shouted "Sissy!"

Three weeks passed, and Catherine found Elizabeth was in routine, she stayed awake all day Sunday, slept half the day Monday, and spent the rest of the day crying, Tuesday she had a near uncurable hunger, Wednesday she didn't want to eat, Thursday she slept the entire day, Friday she had a unquenchable thirst and Saturday she stayed awake all day. Bonnie had helped her whenever she could but that usually didn't help much as she only had an hour or so before she had another study session or had to tend to the other children. Bonnie had asked why she hadn't gotten a nursery droid to help with Elizabeth but Catherine had little trust for droids.

Catherine had just gotten Elizabeth to finally go to sleep after two hours of bouncing her, trying to feed her, change her and anything else she could think of when there was a knock at the door. Catherine pressed the button to open the door to find her Master, Yami Delavie. She was at least fifteen years her senior, but everytime Catherine looked at the records, her specific age changed and she wouldn't tell her the truth. She also bleached her hair every mission, the reason for Catherine could only guess at, and she was certainly large in the right areas, which always made Catherine feel inferior, especially in her teen years.

Catherine held back a yawn, bowed and asked "Hello Master, what brings you here this morning?"

Yami said "Well, I was told you were ignoring calls from Yoda and Master Windu, are you alright?"

Catherine nodded "Yes Master, just...busy."

Yami raised an eyebrow "With?"

Catherine replied "Nothing." Trying to hide her fear.

Yami asked "May I come in?"

Catherine nodded "Yeah, by all means."

Yami stepped inside Catherine's cluttered Jedi dormitory, spotted Bonnie sleeping on the couch and Elizabeth sleeping in her crib.

Yami smirked "You know, it's illegal to have relations in the Temple, right?"

Catherine blushed and shook her head "No, no, no, it's not like that at all, Master!"

Yami asked "Then who's the kid?"

Catherine said "She's my baby sister. The woman sleeping on my couch is Bonnie, she crashed here after her night class."

Yami said "Master Yoda requests your presence in the war room...like now."

Catherine said "But, my sis...-"

Yami waved her hand in dismissal "I'll babysit, I love babies!"

Catherine asked "Are you sure?"

Yami looked into Catherine's eyes and nodded "Yes. I am fine, now go. You don't like Obi Wan when he's angry."

Catherine nodded "Alright, thank you Master."

Yami smiled "No problem!"

An hour later, Catherine found herself outside the door to the war room, since Yami told her to go to the location, she had gotten a shower, put on fresh clothes and tried to look her best, despite only having gotten an hours worth of sleep in the past two days. Catherine took a deep breath, and walked into the room to find Yoda, Obi Wan Kenobi and Commander Cody going over a battle simulation on a planet she couldn't recognize.

Obi wan nodded "Hello Catherine."

Catherine bowed "Good morning, Master Kenobi, you wanted to see me?"

Obi Wan nodded again "Yes, we've been trying to contact you for a few days and we haven't been able to reach you, are you alright?"

Catherine shook her head "Yes, of course. Just..busy."

Obi Wan asked "Busy with?"

Catherine kicked herself mentally, due to that same excuse didn't phase anyone in the Temple.

Catherine said "Well, Master. My baby sister, Elizabeth was just put into my care, and she's a handful, even with help from a fellow Padawan.'

Obi Wan asked "Why don't you get a Nursery droid to help you?"

Catherine felt fear spread up her spine, she turned her face away from Obi Wan, trying to hide it, but she knew it wouldn't work.

Obi Wan asked "Are you alright?"

Catherine nodded "Yeah, I just. I just have no trust for droids, master."

Obi Wan said "Oh! I see, the Battle of Naboo....wait, do you know what happened to your parents?"

Catherine shook her head "No, but I think its safe to assume they survived."

Obi Wan nodded "Just keep hope, Catherine."

Catherine said "I will, is that all you needed?"

Obi Wan shook his head, "No, actually, we need you to go on an undercover mission to this planet."

Obi Wan keyed a few buttons and a small planet appeared on the screen, it had a single island while the rest of it was sea. Catherine had no clue what planet it was, and it was apparent due to Obi Wan choking down a laugh.

Catherine annoyed, asked "What?"

Obi wan said "This is the Monde de l'eau system, highly populated."

Catherine asked "So, what's the mission?"

Obi Wan said "Well, you see, although the war is over, people are having a hard time adapting. We need you to go undercover and watch a certain human woman, named Candice Agenten. When you get there, you will find details about her on your datapad. You will go in with a predetermined set of attire, and a new lightsaber."

Catherine asked "Why do I need a new lightsaber?"

Obi Wan said "The Death Watch have been sighted on the system, and their common weapon, is the Darksaber, hence we cannot let them see it and start another war."

Catherine asked "So, what's the new lightsaber like?"

Obi Wan tossed him an unactivated saber, she caught it, and it felt a little lighter then her own, she searched for an activation button, but found none.

Catherine asked "Where's the on button?"

Obi wan said "You activate it with the Force. Imagine the blade turning on, and focus on the lightsaber."

Catherine nodded, took a deep breath and did as she was told. After three unsuccessful attempts, she stopped looking at the tip of the saber and instead on the center, and tried again, which this time, the blade came to life, revealing itself to be a dark blue.

Catherine asked "Um...this planet..."

Obi Wan asked "Yes?"

Catherine said "Is it friendly?"

Obi Wan nodded "Uh, yes. I believe so."

Catherine smiled "Seems simple enough."

Catherine turned to leave, but she stopped dead in her tracks when Obi Wan cleared his throat.

Obi Wan said "Catherine, I'd like you to take a Clone Trooper escort."

Catherine, shouted in offense "What, why?!"

Obi Wan said "Well...the last time you went on a solo mission you....-"

Catherine said "No no no, that wasn't my fault."

Obi Wan said "You caused a command post to explode."

Catherine rolled her eyes "Alright, fine. Who is he?"

Obi Wan said "You'll meet him on the planet. Now go get dressed for your mission and make arrangements for Elizabeth."

Catherine nodded "Will do."

Two days later, Catherine found herself on a refugee shuttle landing on the planet, where she was greeted by a long-haired Clone Trooper named Booker. Booker handed her the datapad she was told she would recieve and she read up on her target, Candice. From the reports, she was in her mid twenties, had ruby red dyed hair, and spent most of her time gambling.

Catherine asked "So, what can you tell me about this woman that isn't here?"

Booker said "Well, she is in the bar right there, as we speak sir."

Catherine nodded "Alright, let's go talk to her."

Booker asked "Don't you want to wait?"

Catherine shook her head "No. I want to get this over with ASAP."

Booker said "Alright sir, if you say so."

The two walked into the crowded bar, and almost instantly, Catherine spotted the target, Candice staggering around in a drunken haze. Catherine followed her into a private corner of a dark alley and grabbed her shoulder. Candice proceeded to turn and hit Catherine in the shoulder with a kick, knocking her off balance for a moment. Booker pointed his gun at her and she proceeded to withdraw a viroblade from her back and charge at Booker, Catherine now back on her feet activated her lightsaber and blocked her death blow, forced the viroblade out of Candice's hand and held her lightsaber blade an inch from her neck.

Catherine, out of breath asked "Are you ready to cooperate now?"

Candice scoweled "Fine, what do you want?"

Catherine said "I just want to ask you a question."

Candice repeated herself "What do you want?"

Catherine said "What are your plans for the CIS Droid armies under your command?"

Candice laughed in a drunken haze to herself and said "I sold 'dem already, to the Hutt Clan, gave me a great deal!"

Catherine said "Thank you, now was that so hard?"

Catherine went to deactivate her lightsaber when she felt a disturbance in the Force, she turned and saw Candice pull a blaster and attempt to kill Booker, in response, Catherine cut the blaster in half and in blind rage, stabbed Candice in the stomach, within seconds, Candice slumped to the ground,dead. Catherine's eyes raised in shock and fear.

Booker said "It's alright sir, I know you didn't mean to do it."

Catherine shook her head "It's fine, let's go home."

A day later, Catherine found herself in the Jedi Council chamber, with the 12 Masters gleaming at her, she could only attempt to contain her fear and regret for whatever they planned to say. Catherine expected Obi Wan or Anakin to speak up, but instead found Mace Windu to open his mouth first.

Mace said "Young Catherine, did you intend to strike Candice down?"

Catherine shook her head "No Master, that's not what I intended at all. I only wanted to disarm her but, after I did, I felt as if I had no control over my body and I just....stabbed."

Obi Wan said "The Council has decided, that you shall not to go on missions for the time being, just stay here in the Temple, and recover, and gather your thoughts, when you think you're ready for another mission, just come talk to us."

Catherine bowed and walked back to her dorm. When she opened her door she found the lights were unable to come on. She tried to walk in the dark, but she felt a disturbance, she reached for her Lightsaber and found the intruder and pinned the person to the wall, the person she was pinning to her wall, was very small, light but didn't make a sound. She activated her lightsaber and saw that it was a young girl.

Catherine whispered "Who the hell are you?"

The girl said "You are my...Master,Master."

Catherine asked "What are you talking about?"

The girl replied "When you killed my old Master Candice, by rules of the Association, you're my new Master, Master."

Catherine found the light switch and turned the lights on. Once Catherine got a better look at the girl, she found the girl was dressed in her old Padawan robes, had ruby read hair, emerald eyes and fairly tanned skin.

Catherine asked "What's your name?"

The girl shook her head "I don't have a name Master, everyone just called me a maid or a slave."

Catherine said "Well...what about...Keira?"

The girl nodded "As you wish, Master."

Catherine sighed "Alright, you don't have to call me Master, alright?"

Keira asked "Does that annoy you? What should I call you?"

Catherine replied "Uh...Catherine. You only call people Master if they are a Jedi Master or if they are your Master."

Keira said "But legally...-"

Catherine nodded "I know, but I am not your Jedi Master."

Just then there was a knock at the door. Catherine opened it, and Yami walked in and saw Keira standing there silently as a ghost.

Yami smiled "You get more and more kinky every time I walk through the door."

Catherine threw her arms out in protest "It's not like that, Master!"

Yami laughed "I know, Catherine. So, who is this girl?"

Keira said "Well, she killed my old Master, and by the laws of the Association, she is my new Master."

Yami said "Come child, I will get you something to eat, and some new duds."

Keira looked to Catherine as if awaiting an order, and a few seconds later, Yami too was looking at her with the same look on her face.

Catherine waved "Go on, do whatever she tells you."

Keria bowed and followed Yami out the door. After they left, Catherine lied down on her couch and covered her eyes in annoyance. Keira and Yami returned twenty minutes later, and Catherine noticed Keira now was wearing a new set of Padawan robes, her hair was cut to just above her eyebrows and she was chewing on an apple.

Catherine said "Well you look better."

Keira nodded "Thank you Mas..Catherine."

Catherine asked "So what's with the duds, I thought we had pedestrian clothes in storage?"

Yami nodded "We do, but she's a Force Sensitive, she will stay with you and I will set up her training sessions for tomorrow."

Keira smiled "Thank you Master Yami."

Catherine opened her mouth to yell at Keira for calling her Master, but caught herself when she remembered that Yami was a Master.

Keira turned to Catherine and said "Catherine, I think you must know, I will do anything for you. Anything you ask. Just tell me and I will do it."

Catherine blushed when she heard anything, shook her head and nodded "Yeah, I get it. Thank you for letting me know."

Keira asked "So, where will I sleep?"

Catherine said "Well, you'll sleep in my bed...-"

Yami raised an eyebrow "Excuse me?"

Catherine rolled her eyes "I'll sleep on the couch."

Keria asked "Are you sure? I can sleep on the floor if you desire."

Catherine smiled "No, Keira, it will be fine."

Yami asked "So, has Molly made a peep since you got home?"

Catherine shook her head "Nope."

Keira asked "Who is Molly?"

Catherine replied "She is my baby sister."

Keira said "I can assist in taking care of her if you desire."

Catherine smiled "I think that would be nice."

Just then Bonnie walked in stretching her arms behind her head and yawned "Man, what a long day...Oh hello Master Yami...who's this?"

Catherine said "This is Keira, she'll be staying with us for the time being."

Keira asked "Do I take orders from her, Master?"

Catherine nodded in annoyance "Yes Keira."

Yami said "Well, it looks like it's time for curfew, I shall see you in the morning."

Catherine said "Farewell, Master."

Bonnie said "Bye, Master Yami."

Yami took her leave and Bonnie asked "So, where is the red head gonna sleep?"

Catherine pointed to her bed.

Bonnie asked "Where are you going to sleep?"

Catherine pointed to her couch.

Bonnie asked "Why don't you just sleep your bed, with her?"

Catherine sighed "It'd be weird. Just go to bed, alright? I'm tired."

Bonnie shrugged "Alright."

Everyone went to sleep, but Catherine found it difficult to even shut her eyes, due to her fixation on Keira sleeping, or at least appearing to sleep in her bed.

The following morning, Catherine found Keira already prepared for her class that morning, dressed in her Padawan robes, polished boots and she appeared to have washed her hair already.

Catherine asked "How long have you been awake?"

Keira said "Three hours."

Catherine asked "So you only had five hours of sleep?"

Keira nodded "Yep."

Catherine sighed to herself "That's another habit I need to break her out of."

Keira asked "Is there anything else I require for today?"

Catherine snapped her fingers and nodded "Yeah, actually there is."

Catherine disappeared into her hidden armory and came back out a few seconds later holding a training Lightsaber. Catherine handed it to Keira, who took it with fear. Keira ignited the saber, causing the green blade to come to life.

Keira asked "What's this for?"

Catherine smiled "It's for you silly. You will need it for your class."

Keira bowed "Thank you Mas...Catherine."

Catherine said "Don't mention it. Now, do you know where your class is?"

Keira shook her head "No, Master Yami is going to escort me there."

Catherine bent down on one knee so they were at eye-level and said "Listen, I want you to do something for me."

Keira asked "What is it?"

Catherine said "I want you to be yourself, have fun and do your best, alright?"

Keira nodded "Sure no..-"

Catherine locked Keira into a hug and whispered "Be safe alright?" Keira said "Of course!" 

Keira made her leave to her class while Catherine took the pieces to her new lightsaber down to the armory for her to build it.

Bonnie asked "What do you want done with Liz here?"

Catherine replied "You're going to the day care center right?"

Bonnie nodded "Yeah, you want me to take her there?"

Catherine said "Yes. please. I have a project to do down here."

Bonnie smiled "Kay, good luck!"

Catherine nodded and procceeded into the cool armory, and inspected the room, it was filled with weapons she collected over the years, the walls were covered with lightsabers, blasters, electrostaffs, and armor and other attires, on the south end of the room was a spare bed and dehydrated food. Catherine knelt down on the floor and spread the pieces of her lightsaber in front of her, inhaled deeply, closed her eyes, and by using the Force, she slowly assembled the Lightsaber, piece by piece. Before she knew it, the lightsaber was completed. Catherine activated it, and found it to work perfectly, much to her enjoyment. Catherine exited the armory and found much time had past, it appeared to be noon and she decided to go and check up on Keira. When she got there, she was greeted by Obi Wan.

Obi Wan said "Oh, hello Catherine, your sister is doing well for her first time."

Catherine raised an eyebrow "My sister?"

Obi Wan pointed to the gladiator ring "Yes, Keira."

Catherine looked to see Keira dueling with another student around her age, weilding a double-bladded lightsaber, and appeared to be winning. Keira proceeded to Force Push the other child out of the arena, to win the duel.

Catherine smiled "Marvelous."

Keira ran up to Catherine shouting "I won, I won, did you see me?"

Catherine nodded "Yes, I did. You did great!"

Obi Wan said "I think it's time we get to the Senate meeting, all the Jedi are told to go."

Catherine said "Oh, I didn't know there was one today. Uh, sure."

Catherine followed Obi Wan to the door, but she didn't hear Keira following her. Catherine turned to see Keira standing as still as a statue.

Catherine asked "What are you doing kiddo?"

Keira said "Well, whenever someone went somewhere, I was told to stay put."

Catherine smiled "Well, that's going to change. Come on."

Keira happily followed on Catherine's heels to the Senate hall, where they met Bonnie. Once inside the Royal Guards were waving people in opposite directions.

Obi Wan asked "What's going on?"

The guard replied "You're being seperated into your homeworlds. Go join the Senator from your homeworld to view the meeting."

Bonnie waved "Well, see you guys afterwords, I'm from Courscant."

Catherine said "Come along, Keira."

Keira followed Catherine to the Naboo Senate pod, and met Padme Amidalla, two guards and another pair of Jedi sitting in the pod already, leaving one seat open. Catherine sat down in the only empty seat and looked at Keira who stood there as if awaiting an order.

Catherine said "Sit down Keira."

Keira went to sit on the floor of the pod but Catherine waved her hand "No no, sit on my lap silly."

Keira said "Oh..sorry."

Keira sat down on Catherine's lap while Padme laughed next to them.

Catheirne asked "What's so funny?"

Padme replied "You two."

Keira asked "What about us?"

Padme said "You're too cute."

Catherine said "Relax, it's going to be a while before it starts."

Keira nodded and lied back resting on Catherine's shoulder. After a few minutes she yawned and half-closed her eyes.

Catherine asked "Tired?"

Keira shook her head slowly "No..bored."

Catherine said "If you're tired you can take a nap. I'll wake you up when it starts."

Keira said "No, I am fine."

Catherine started rocking Keira back and forth and she started to slowly nod off until the audience started to clap when the new Chancellor Bail Organa appeared, causing Keira to snap to attention.

Bail shouted "Friends,allies. With the forced outsting of our ex-chancellor, Palpatine, I officially declare that today, is the end of the Clone Wars!"

The crowd started to clap again while Catherine whistled, which was lost in the loudness of the applause. Once the meeting over, Catherine and Keira went to leave, and Catherine noticed she was struggling to keep her eyes open.

Catherine knelt down "Hop on, Keira, I can carry you home."

Keira said "No. I am fine."

Catherine said "Just hop on."

Keira did as she was told, wrapped her arms around Catherine's neck and Catherine picked her up. As she walked down the hallway, Keira counted Catherine's heartbeats.

thud thud Keira said "One". thud thud Keira said "Two". thud thud Keira said "Three". thud thud Keira said "Four". thud thud Keira said "Fiv-". Keira drifted into sleep, feeling safe in her Master's arms. Catherine saw Obi Wan, Yami, and Mace Windu enter the Lounge and she decided to say hi and walked in after them.

Catherine whispered "Hello Masters. I'd bow but..."

Mace smiled "It's fine. Did you need something?"

Catherine nodded "Yeah, I had a question...-"

Yami said "She looks like a little angel.I can take her if you like."

Catherine shook her head "No, I got her."

Obi Wan asked "What did you want to know?"

Catherine replied "How did you know Palpatine was a Sith?"

Mace said "Sorry Catherine, that's purley High Council member knowlage only."

Catherine asked "Alright, fair enough. Then where's Anakin Skywalker?"

Obi Wan replied "He's on a personal mission, we don't know when he will be back."

Catherine nodded "Thank you, I think i'll take this one home."

Obi Wan said "Be safe. May the Force be with you."

Catherine quickly walked to her dorm, played Keira on the bed, placed a comlink on the bed stand and went to go to the main entrance of the Temple to meet Bonnie. They met each other outside the Hangar.

Bonnie asked "Hey, where's Keira?"

Catherine replied "Oh, she fell asleep."

Bonnie asked "So what do you want t-"

Just then, it felt as if the entire planet was shaking, and the sound of screams filled the air as an explosion ripped through the ancient walls of the Temple's main entrance, sending a dozen Clone bodies flying through the air and smashing against the walls, and seven Jedi bodies to the ground in a bloody, gory mess. Catherine ran outside, looked around and found no attackers, but a symbol, resembling the old Sith Order logo, but upside down and with a giant red X in the middle. Catherine returned to the Temple walls and already found Clones and Jedi being wheeled to the infirmary, she quickly followed Bonnie and tried to stop the bleeding of a young Clone trooper with a piece of shrapenel sticking out of his stomach. Once inside the infirmary, a nurse droid handed her a pair of white gloves and Catherine quickly got to work patching the clone up.

The Clone coughed up some blood and said in a voice that was nearly a whisper "I am going to die, aren't I sir?"

Catherine gave him a half convincing smile "No private, just a flesh wound, you can make it."

The clone returned her smile, and said "You sir, are a terrible liar."

Catherine saw a small body in the corner of her eye, and turned her attention to see Keira standing there, barefoot and missing her lightsaber, standing there with a frightened look on her face.

Catherine asked "What are you doing here, Keira?"

Keira replied "I heard the explosion, and I thought you were hurt...your hands...-"

Catherine peered down at her blood soaked hands and remembered that she was wearing gloves.

Catherine smirked "They're gloves, I am fine. Thanks for the concern."

Catherine returned to the clone. A few minutes passed and Keira, due to curiosity. got close to see what she was doing. Catherine went to wipe a bit of sweat from her brow and from the corner of her eye, she saw Keira flinch and back away a few steps.

Catherine smiled "I am not going to hit you. I would never think of it."

Keira whispered "It's a default reaction, sorry."

Catherine said "No need to apologize Keira."

The clone said "I am going to die, there's nothing you can do sir. But thank you for trying."

Catherine said "You're not going to die soldier."

The clone withdrew his blaster pistol and stuck it underneath his chin. Catherine in a panic flipped the switch and withdrew the energy pack.

The Clone said "Sir, please, I am going to die anyway, it's better for me to die a soldiers death than die by a piece of damn sharpnel."

Catherine asked "So, it's better to die by suicide, then die by the enemies hand like a soldier?"

The clone started to cough up blood again and nodded "Yes sir."

Catherine turned to Keira and said "I need you to check on Master Yami for me in the Lounge."

Keira said "But I don't know where that is."

Catherine shouted "Hey you, Trooper!"

A Clone wearing Phase 1 armor stood at attention and saluted. "Yes sir?"

Catherine said "I need you to escort this young one to the Lounge and check on Master Delavie. If she's not there, then I need you to take her back to my dorm, room 54, the passcode is 1318."

The clone nodded "Alright sir."

Keira, with tears running down her face shouted "No, I can't leave you!"

Catherine, now annoyed shouted "Keira! Please! I need you to do this for me."

Keira nodded in sadness and said "Yes Catherine, as you wish."

Keira followed the trooper out the door and Catherine returned to the wounded trooper, who had succumbed to his injury. Catherine covered the body with a thin sheet and swore to herself for not being able to save him. Catherine looked around the infirmary and found much of the same result from other doctors and droids.

Bonnie asked "Yours die too?"

Catherine nodded "Yeah..listen, I think I upset Keira, is it alright if I go and talk to her?"

Bonnie nodded "Yeah, you should be fine. I think we got it settled down. Call me if you need help."

Catherine smiled and took her leave to the Lounge, once she was there, she was met by the Clone and Keira at the door, when Catherine looked at Keira, she saw that the girl was deeply saddened and probably thought she did something wrong, she reminded Catherine of a puppy with that look on her face.

Catherine asked "Is everything alright, did you see Master Yami?"

Keira whispered "No, we found out she departed from the Temple shortly before the bombing took place."

Catherine asked "Do you know where to?"

Keira shook her head "No. Master Kenobi wouldn't relinquish the information."

Catherine turned to the soldier "Thank you for escorting her."

The soldier saluted "It was my pleasure miss." and he left to his post.

Catherine looked at Keira, whom looked as if she could break out crying at any second.

Catherine said in a calming voice "Hey...hey it's alright..i'm not mad at you. I was just preoccupied."

Keira replied with a tear going down her face. "...No, I am just an annoyance to you."

Catherine picked her up and looked her in the eyes "No, you're not. You were just in the wrong place."

Keira said "I know you're lying."

Catherine replied "No, I'm not, you're not annoying me."

Keira wiped away her tears, and asked "You mean it?"

Catherine smiled "As true as the galaxy is ever expanding."

Keira asked "So, what do we do now?"

Catherine replied "Well, I don't know. How about we find where Master Yami went?"

Keira nodded energetically in approval. Catherine put Keira down and followed her to Obi Wan Kenobi's' quarters, which was guarded by two Royal Guards.

Catherine asked "May we enter? We have questions for Master Kenobi."

The guard gave Catherine a look "The girl must stay outside."

Catherine asked "Why?"

The guard replied "We have some questions for her."

Catherine said "You can ask them right here, right now."

The guard said "These questions are for the girl, only."

Catherine nodded "Fine, but all questions must be stated in front of me."

The guard asked "What's your relation to the girl?"

Keira mumbled "She's my...M-"

Catherine said "I'm her main guardian."

Just then the door opened to Obi Wan, who had a shocked look on his face when he saw Catherine and Keira standing in front of him. Catherine and Keira bowed to the Master and he dismissed the guards.

Obi Wan asked "Do you require something?"

Catherine nodded "Yes Master, I would like to know where Master Yami went."

Obi Wan replied "That's on a need to know basis only, I am sorry Catherine."

Catherine shouted "She's my Master, it is a need to know!"

Obi Wan raised his hands in defense. "It's alright Catherine, calm down."

Catherine said "Just tell me..where she went."

Obi Wan motioned for them to enter his quarters, which they did and found it heavily decorated from his adventures as a Jedi.

Obi Wan said "Alright fine, your Master went to Tattooine to investigate this Association."

Catherine asked "Why did you need to call us in to tell us that?"

Obi wan replied "Well she left half an hour before the bombing, so she was at first considered the bomber, but it seems this Association is involved."

Keira whispered "But..they-"

Catherine sighed "Looks like I am going to Tatooine."

Obi wan said "Fine, but don't make any trouble."

Catherine bowed "Yes, Master."

Catherine took her leave with Keira hot on her trail. Once in her dorm, she made arrangements for Elizabeth to be taken care of in the Daycare Center and she packed up a few days of clothes. Catherine peered over to Keira, who was following suit.

Catherine asked "What do you think you're doing?"

Keira gave Catherine a confused look "I'm coming with."

Catherine said "I need you to stay here and help Bonnie."

Keira shouted "But I want to come too!"

Catherine said "Just calm-.."

Keira ran out the door and down the hall out of sight, nearly knocking down three people. Catherine smirked and took out her comlink, and called the hangar.

Catherine said "Hey, I need my two seater preped for a trip to Tatooine."

Twenty minutes later, Catherine found herself clad in a travelers cloak and after getting into hyperspace, she heard a small clank in one of the storage spaces.

Catherine laughed "You can come out now!"

Keira emerged from the compartment clad in a beggars disguise and a guilty smile on her face.

Keira asked "How did you know?"

Catherine said "I did that with my Master when I was around your age."

Keira asked "Are you going to turn around?"

Catherine shook her head "You're already here and we're in hyperspace, no point in turning back now."

Keira asked "So...now what?"

Catherine said "We've got a couple hours."

Keira repeated herself "So, now what?"

Catherine turned on the autopilot, and turned her chair around so she could look at Keira.

Catherine replied "If it's alright with you, I would like to ask you about your past."

Keira asked "Why do you want to know that?"

Catherine said "If you don't want to tell me, that's fine."

Keira shook her head "No, it's not that. Just not much to tell."

Catherine asked "Well can you tell me what's what?"

Keira said "Well, shortly after I was born, from what I was told, my parents were killed and I was taken into the Association and raised as a slave. Ever since I was three, I had been told to obey my Master, do the chores, and never question my Master."

Catherine asked "How many Masters have you had...including me?"

Keira replied "17, including you."

Catherine said "And....you're..."

Keira said "I've been a slave five years...most of my Masters died within weeks of each other..."

Catherine asked "Did you..?"

Keira shook her head "No, they were ranked and they were attacked. I guess you could say my 'favorite' Master..before you, was an older woman named Rose, she never gave me a name, but she let me sleep on her bed, she fed me her five star food at parties...she got her head decapitated by a Death Watch member to get her rank..."

Catherine asked "What's this rank you keep talking about?"

Keira replied "The Association has a branch of the top 51 ranked Assassins in the galaxy, my masters have been in the top 40...you killed number 25, Candice."

Catherine asked "So...that means..."

Keira said "You're number 25."

Catherine said "So..they're the ones who attacked..the Temple?"

Keira shook her head "No, if anyone was to go after your rank, it would be one on one, not the group that attacked, it's the rules."

Catherine said "There are rules?"

Keira smiled "Hey, they may be monsters..but they're still civilized!"

Catherine asked "So, what planets have you lived on?"

Keira replied "All the major systems..Bespin, Cloud City, Courscant, Byass, some forest systems..Ryloth, Kashykk etc."

Catherine heard the ship start to beep and asked "Ever been to Tattooine?"

Keira shook her head "No, why?"

Catherine smiled "Get prepaired to sweat."

Keira said "Yay" in a very bored, joking voice.

After landing on the outskirts of Mos Eisley, the two stepped out of the ship, leaving R2-M4 in charge of the ship while they walked into town. After an hour of walking in the hot desert, Catherine noticed Keira had started to pant from exhaustion. Catherine looked up and saw the town in the distance.

Catherine said "Just a little further kiddo, then we can get you into a drink at the cantina."

Keira shook her head "I am fine."

The two stumbled into town near sunset, to which Keira, dizzy from exhaustion bumped into a Rodian with a cybernetic arm.

The Rodian shouted "Watch where you're going you poodooh!"

Keira said in a weak voice "I'm so-"

The Rodian slapped Keira to the ground and Catherine darted in front of him.

Catherine shouted "Leave her alone!"

Catherine went to grab her lightsaber but she stopped once she remembered she wasn't suppose to cause trouble. The Rodian drew his rifle and pointed it at Catherine, but before the Rodian could move any further, his cyber arm was sliced clean off by a yellow lightsaber. Catherine peered to see Yami standing in front of her.

Yami shouted "You will leave these children alone!"

The Rodian walked away, trying to hide his face with his intact arm while Yami turned to Catherine and Keira, whom which was unconscious and had a small stream of blood running down her cheek.

Yami asked "Are you alright?"

Catherine picked Keira up, placing Keira's chin on her shoulder and nodded "Yes, thank you."

Yami rubbed Keira's cheek, smiled and said "Come along, i'll get you two cleaned up."

Catherine nodded and followed Yami to an apartment near a Cantina, which wasn't decorated, which was expected as she had only been there for two days, but it had a HoloVision, two bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen. Yami took Keria from Catherine's hands and brought her into the refresher, and walked out two minutes later.

Catherine asked "What did you do?"

Yami replied "I left her with a protocal droid, she's taking a cold shower for a minute."

Catherine asked "Are you sure that's safe?"

Yami nodded "Yes, she will be fine. The reason she passed out wasn't from the strike, it was due to dehydration, how long were you walking?"

Catherine said "An hour, hour and a half."

Yami asked "Do you know what she was wearing?"

Catherine shook her head "No, why?"

Yami said "She was wearing a heavy tunic under the travelers robe. So, since it's a hundred degrees outside, to her it was two hundred."

Catherine thought about hitting herself "I should have checked."

Yami said "It's not your fault, but it is more of her fault."

Just then Keira peered out the door wearing a towel "Um...Master Yami, do you have any clothing I can borrow?"

Yami nodded "Just one minute."

After Yami disappeared behind a corner, Catherine shared a look with Keira.

Catherine asked "Are you feeling alright?"

Keira nodded "Just..dizzy."

Catherine asked "Do you think you're going to pass out again?"

Keira shook her head "No, I think I am OK."

Catherine asked "Are you sure?"

Keira shouted with an angry tone "Yes, I am sure!"

Catherine raised her hands in mock surrender "Alright, fine."

Yami returned with a light jumpsuit "Here you go."

Keira bowed "Thank you very much Master Yami."

Yami asked "Are you going to need assistance?"

Keira replied "No thank you, I will be fine."

Keria disappeared behind the door again and Yami turned to Catherine.

Yami asked "So, who sent you? Kenobi? Yoda? Windu?"

Catherine shook her head "No one, I came on my own accord, I wanted to make sure you weren't hurt or killed or...-"

Yami shook her hand in dismissal "I know of the Temple bombing Catherine."

Catherine asked "So, what info have you gotten on this..Association?"

Yami replied "Well, I have rung my contacts out and I have discovered it goes deep. They have power all the way up into the very heart of the Republic, and as it turns out, some of the higher ups are in charge of the Banking Clan."

Catherine sighed "So if we tried to do anything...it'd be another damn war."

Yami nodded "As it seems."

Keira stumbled out of the refresher followed by the protocal droid who had Keira's clothes in hand.

The droid asked "What would you like done with these?"

Yami said "Would you mind washing them?"

The droid asked "What would you like done with her effects?"

Keria said "Would you mind...giving them here?"

The droid said "Certainly."

The droid handed Keira her lightsaber, a necklace with a crystal attached to it and a comlink.

Keira said "Thank you."

the droid bowed and disappeared behind the corner.

Yami asked "Does the jumpsuit fit?"

Keira smiled and nodded "Yes, thank you very much."

Catherine asked "So, now what?"

Yami said "Well, now it's curfew. It's time for you two to go to bed, we have a big day tomorrow."

Keria asked "Where will I sleep?"

Yami pointed to the spare bedroom that wasn't cluttered "In there."

Keira asked "Where will Catherine sleep?"

Yami pointed again "In there. Sorry, but there's no couch."

Catherine said "I'm fine with that. Come along Keira."

Keira followed Catherine into the room, finding a bed perfectly sized for the two to have equal elbow room. Catherine lied down on the bed but found Keira very hesitant to move an inch from her spot.

Catherine sighed "Come on Keira, I don't bite."

Keira nodded "Yeah, I know."

Keira lied down on the bed, resting her head on Catherine's shoulder. After trying to sleep for a half hour, Catherine found Keira was unable to sit still.

Catherine asked "You got ants in the pants kiddo?"

Keira mumbled something Catherine couldn't hear, shrugged it off and fell asleep. The following morning, Catherine was awaken by Yami whom gave Keira her clothes back and told them they had to go back to Coruscant by order of the High Council.

Keira asked "So, what's going to happen to the Republic troops stationed on this system and the neighboring one?"

Yami replied "Oh, you mean Geonosis? Well it's said Chancellor Organa will have a majority of the troops taken off world within two years or so."

Catherine asked "So, do you know why the Council has called us back?"

Yami replied "No, but your ship has already been transported to my Star Destroyer, The Pharaoh. You two will ride with me."

Keira yawned and asked "So, when are we leaving?"

Yami patted Keira on the head and smiled "In a few minutes, don't worry, you can sleep on the way back."

Keira waved her hand in dismissal "No, I am fine."

Catherine shouted from the refresher "You lie!"

Keira grumbled "No, I am not!"

Yami laughed "It's nothing to be ashamed of, you're still a child."

A day later, Catherine found herself in the center of the twenty three eyes of the High Council members staring at her, burning a hole through her very soul.

Yoda said "After much talk, decided we have." Yoda ignited his lightsaber

Catherine felt sweat go down her spine from what ever they were about to say.

Yoda finished "Give you the rank of Jedi knight, the Council does."

Yoda cut off Catherine's apprentice braid, and she felt glee and happiness flow through her as the braid hit the ground.

Catherine bowed "Thank you Master!"

Obi Wan asked "Now you know, you must take an Apprentice right?" Any special requests?"

Catherine smiled "Well..."

Obi Wan said "That little girl you've adopted, eh?"

Catherine nodded "If that's not too much to ask."

Obi Wan said "We can have that arranged. Now, go celebrate."

Catherine bowed "Thank you Masters."

Catherine sprinted out down to her dorm and into the awaiting arms of Bonnie and Yami.

Bonnie asked "What are you so happy about?"

Catherine showed her singed hair "I've been knighted!"