Chapter One

Seventeen year-old Jedi padawan, Obi-wan Kenobi stood beside his master in the massive square. He was still unsure as to their reason for being on Arcadia, let alone the large city of Caspian. The planet was one of the newer colony planets located near Alderran and had a small population. Caspian was its capitol city, therefore the largest. It, like the rest of the planet, was beautiful; as the Arcadians held themselves, proud of the magnificence that was their habitat.

Its rolling hills and forests were filled with plants of all kinds. Even in the city, one could hear the birds cheerfully sing their song as they went. Many parts of the planet were governmentally protected; the citizens did not want Arcadia to end up as Coruscant had. Many pieces of land were set aside as public parks. The cities were made out of marble and white limestone, making it look even more beautiful. The skies were perfectly blue; free of the pollution that plagued Coruscant because of the filters they put in all their speeders and anything else that may cause pollution.

Obi-wan’s Jedi master, Qui-gon Jinn, stood towering over his apprentice, looking around him. It was then that he saw her. His younger sister, Kea Jinn, stood in the distance, near one of the many hotels that spotted the landscape of the city. He motioned for his young apprentice to follow him and he walked towards the tall, reddish brown haired woman. Qui-gon knew she was married now, and that was why he was there. Her children were in danger, and she wanted him to help. How, he had no idea, but he would try as much as he could.

"Kea?" The women turned to her left when she heard her name. She smiled as she saw her brother, and his shy apprentice who she could tell was confused about the reason they were there.

"Qui-gon. It is nice to see you again, brother. This must be your padawan you always write me about. Ben, is it?"

"Obi-wan." He replied smiling despite the mistake. On his birth certificate, it said Obi-wan Ben Lars. He had changed his last name upon becoming a Jedi, taking on his mother’s maiden name. It was not his choice, as his father forbade him to use the Lars name if he decided to follow his mothers dream and become a Jedi. His family had called him Ben as a nickname as long as he could remember. Only his mother wrote him now. Owen was not quite happy with his choice and his father had practically disowned him. No one talked about the youngest Lars on the small homestead they owned on the planet Tattooing. "But you can call me Ben if you like that more. I don’t mind." He really didn’t. In fact he rather liked the name

Kea smiled and looked back up at her brother. "Follow me." She said, her voice now solemn as she turned and walked towards the small hotel behind her

Obi-wan took a moment to look at the older woman’s appearance. As she walked, Obi-wan could tell she was used to having to be very poised. It was apparent she was from the upper class, which was likely, since she was married to a senator. Her graceful features made the beauty in her stand out. She was one of the few people in the universe who could honestly say she was beautiful inside and out. She had bright red hair that was now placed into a braid that circled her head, which was always a fashionable style and looked great on her. Her eyes were a cool green that reminded Obi-wan of his master’s light-saber, and for a moment he wondered if that was why Qui-gon chose that color when he chose his crystal. Kea’s eyes also told of wisdom beyond her years of forty. Her outfit was more of the common people of the planet than of her place at the senate, which helped her bland in, since she did not want to be noticed, it seemed. From the brief handshake, he had glimpsed into her mind (which had a mint mental touch) and noticed all her apprehension about her children.

She entered the lobby and led them to a lift that ran next to the water fountain they had in the middle of the room. It took them to the top floor, upon which they were led down a long hallway to a door at the very end. Kea stopped and checked for any mechanisms that may have been positioned in the room to spy on her before entering the room. After both she, and her brother, was content there was none, they entered the significantly furnished room. Being a wife of a senator had helped her get the comfortable room, but her mind was on her daughters who played with their toys in the bedroom.

After they had all entered, she closed the door and locked, to make sure no one was to hear what she had to say. It was very important that her husband never knew about this. It would anger him greatly if he knew and he would surely take it out on their children. He never took it out on her. He hated their daughters with a passion because they were not of any use to him. He had grown used to the older of the twins but the sight of the younger of the two still sickened him.

"Thank you, Qui-gon, for coming. Thank you as well Obi-wan. You too have no idea how appreciative I am of you right now." She motioned them to follow her once more, this time to the bedroom of the suite. In the room where two toddlers, both a year old, playing on the floor with a few toys Kea had managed to get for them. Both had hair like their mother, though the one’s was more a blond color then the other. From the mental probe Obi-wan sent to both of them, neither was aware about their mother’s anxiety nor the reason for them being here. The older of the two had a dark mind. She glared at him, almost as if she was aware that he was probing. She thought only of her father it seems, and how she thought Qui-gon and him were trying to betray him. The younger one on the other hand had a cheerful mind, though it had a measure of worry about it about her mother. She seemed to have a very strong connection to the force. She did know he was probing and let her mind be open to him, which showed him she trusted him, even though she had just met the man.

"These are my daughters." Kea’s voice broke through Obi-wan’s thoughts and he returned his attention to the woman. It had only been seconds with the probe and was unnoticeable to neither his master nor Kea. "The red haired one is Kaleli. She is the older of the two and the only one her father can stand." Well, that answered the question about her undying loyalty to the man and why she thought they were a threat. "The strawberry blond one is Kali, the youngest. Both are force sensitive, I believe." Qui-gon nodded. His eyes were sad as he looked at his nieces and seeing them so rejected by their father. He sighed and motioned to Kea that he wanted to talk to her alone. He turned to Obi-wan with a serious look. Watch the twins Obi-wan. Something tells me they are important to the future of all of us. Obi-wan nodded at his master and went towards the two girls and kneeled beside them.

Hi! Came a female sounding voice in his head.

You’re telepathic? Obi-wan knew that it was very rare that people could be telepathic, and then it was only Jedi’s with their masters…or their lovers. Because of the few Jedi who married now, it was not widely know if children of Jedi had the telepathic link with their parents.

I’m thirteen months old. I know a lot because Dad teaches me. I know I know more then the normal girls my age, but I am glad I do. I don’t think you would like talking to some kid whose only concerns are who is going to fed her next and then change her diaper. Obi-wan couldn’t help but laugh at the way she said it. It was actually like talking to a girl his age Odd…but nice. He felt oddly drawn to the young girl, though he had no idea why he would be.

Maybe. Obi-wan laughed a little. At that moment, he looked at the other sister. Upon looking into her green eyes, Obi-wan felt shivers go up his spine. There was something oddly cold about Kaleli. Like her sister had said, she felt very dark and menacing. Kali was the complete opposite. It was almost as he was seeing light and dark in their substantial forms.

It was then Qui-gon returned to the room, his sister right behind him. Her look was said, but Obi-wan had no idea why.

"Obi-wan?"

"Yes Master?"

"We have to be leaving now. It is not safe for my sister or the girls for us to be here."

"But aren’t we…"

"Yes, we are, Padawan. Kali is coming with us. It would be safer for both of them if they were separated. Kaleli will stay with my sister."

"Alright" Obi-wan had no idea how they came to that conclusion but he didn’t feel it was right to ask at that moment from the look on Qui-gon’s face. Qui-gon motioned him to pick Kali up, which he did. She was oddly light, compared to most of the children in the crèche at the temple. That told him that she had been sick often in the year she had lived. Kea handed her brother a bag that contained some of Kali’s clothes as well as some of her toys. A necklace with a strange looking zirconium pendent was also included.

Before they left, Kali asked Obi-wan to tell her mother something.

"Mrs. Palpatine?"

"Yes, Obi-wan?"

"Kali asked me to tell you something. She says that she has tried to contact you, but somehow wasn’t able to. She wanted to let you know she loved you.

Kea had tears in her eyes when she heard that. She had always known Kali had the potential to be telepathic, but it was to very few people she could. Only her father could hear her. Now this teenager could, telling her that he was very important in her daughter’s future.

"Tell her I feel the same why." she responded. "And," she said smiling, "I approve of her choice" She hugged her brother and daughter before letting them leave. She decided it would be better if she stayed in the suite then if she went with them to the landing port where their transport would be waiting. Qui-gon had agreed and after reassuring his sister that Kali would be well taken care of; they left to go to their transport, The Seri star XI.

The Seri star was waiting, as promised, and the three passengers boarded quickly so the ship could take off. It would take a day to reach Coruscant, so they Jedi went back to the two rooms that had been reserved for them previously.

Welcome to the many stars of the universe, Kali Obi-wan said to the infant in his arms.

Thank you. She started to close her eyes, being tired and feeling safe in his arms. She opened them again and stared into his blue eyes. Something she knew would always memorize her. I love you Obi. Always remember that." With that, she fell asleep. Obi-wan gazed down at her in confusion as the surprising words formed in his mind. She never heard them, but oddly, he felt they were the truth.

The Jedi Council sat silently; each member going over the information Qui-gon had given them about the young child. Each knew she should be trained but how was the question.

"Forced on her, maturity was." Yoda said softly. It seemed as if someone had purposely mentally matured her faster then her normal time. She had the mind of a teenager although with out it's knowledge, and the body of an infant. "Not good, this is."

Mace Windu, who sat beside Yoda, mentally agreed. How on Coruscant could they slow down her mental development so her body could catch up without damaging her or stopping it all together? This was one of the times Mace wished he wasn't in the council. Qui-gon obviously thought much of his sister and her child, and anything they said would be against him and not them. At least that would be what it was in Qui-gon's opinion. He turned to his mentor and saw Yoda's eyes unfocused. It showed that the ancient Jedi was meditating on a vision he was currently seeing. The master refocused.

"Important, she is, to the future. Train her, we must." Yoda sighed. "Foresee, I do, Save Qui-gon's life she will. Obi-wan’s as well." Adi Gallia, the youngest member of the council at the time, despite her master status, nodded. She agreed. She too had some clairvoyance. . She had seen that the girl was important to both her uncle and his padawan in the future, though for vastly different reasons. For Qui-gon, it was to save his life, For Obi-wan, renew it.

"Mace, I concur with Master Yoda." She said out loud. The other nine members mumbling in agreement followed the statement. She would be trained. She was young enough, although older then the cut off limit, but her force signature said that she was destined to become a knight. They all saw that.

"Alright." Mace said. " Call in Qui-gon" he said into a micro-com in his seat that he had to contact those outside the room. He released the button and the room was silent until Qui-gon and his apprentice entered.

"Yes, masters?" he asked, hope apparent in his tone of voice.

" We have decided to train your niece. You and Obi-wan are in charge of her keep until she is old enough to become a padawan. She is too old to be handed over to the crèche masters."

"Yes, masters."

"Give her a new name, you must. Protect her, it will. As you should." Yoda said, mostly looking at Obi-wan which made the young padawan nervous.

"Yes, master Yoda, I will." He said, staring at the old master. Yoda could tell by the shine in the boy's blue-green eyes that it was true. His visions would prove true. It was painted clearly in those expressive eyes.

Qui-gon also stated his willingness.

"Are you sure you know what this entails?" Another master said. Both nodded.

"Well, May the force be with you." Mace said, closing the discussion.

"And with you Masters" the two said in union as they bowed and turned out of the room. Yoda looked at Mace and showed that his worry matched his own.

"May the force be with all of us," Mace said softly

"So what shall we name you?" Obi-wan asked Kali as he played with her on the floor of the apartment he shared with Qui-gon. Kali smiled at him and moved closer. After she had awoken after the trip, he hadn't been able to contact her mentally. He supposed it was a suppressant they had used to slow down her mind from maturing too soon. She smiled up at the man behind him and pointed.

"Qui-goon!" she said. Obviously, she was unpleased with her attempts at normal conversation but at least they could understand her. Qui-gon smiled and picked his niece up off the floor.

"Well, she is my niece, maybe we should call her Kali Jinn." Kali smiled and squirmed in his grasp. Obi-wan laughed at the attempts the little girl made to get to him and took her off Qui-gon's hands. All three went to the couch and sat down. Kali snuggled close to Obi-wan, trying to say something but it was only coming out in an unintelligible baby talk. What Obi-wan did understand is that she liked the name.

"So, Kida Jinn, what do you want to do before dinner." Qui-gon raised in eyebrow at the affectionate nickname he knew to mean Angel in some ancient language from Arcadia. Obi-wan liked to learn at least one word from each culture and planet they visited. Qui-gon smiled as he watched his apprentice, who he thought of as a son; play with his niece, whom he already loved as a daughter. They looked natural together, and it seemed as if they had been together forever. Yoda had telepathically told him of the vision he had of the two 'renewing' life. From the way they were close already, he could defiantly see the two together. However, it would not be for a while. Not for a long time. They were far too young. Maybe when both were knights they would see each other in a different light, but for now, they were happy seeing each other as a sibling they never had, and Qui-gon as the father they never had. He was happy to continue that. It felt nice to have a family again. It had only been him and Obi-wan for the past four years. Now they had something to fill the empty spot in their family. If only Tahl, his love, was here. Qui-gon smiled sadly. Then they would be a true family.

"Master?"

"Yes, Obi-wan."

"What is it when everything seems to black out and you see something but then everything goes back to what it was before?"

"Usually that means it is a vision. Especially if you’re awake when it happens to you. Why?" Obi-wan looked nervously at the floor.

"Because a minute ago that happened to me." Qui-gon looked at him in surprise. When the temple had tested the boy when he had arrived, it had not found any sign of clairvoyance in him. It was not often that force abilities changed, but a few Jedi had that happen to them. He must get Obi-wan re-tested.

"And what was it you saw?"

"I saw a tall man, with tattoos all over his face. It had red and yellow patterns. I couldn’t see much more, though I felt fear and anger seething all though him. And I saw Kida, only she was surrounded by this blue aura and her eyes had a strange blue tint to it. She was crying and looking down. I saw her bring her hand back up covered in blood. Do you understand it?" Qui-gon shook his head.

"No. I believe you should talk to master Yoda about this. He has clairvoyance and may be able to help you."

"Did he ever see me in one of his visions?"

"Yes, once."

"When?"

"Right before we found you."

"Found me? What do you mean?" Qui-gon smiled as he recalled the story.

Qui-gon Jinn and Mace Windu stood looking around the dessert planet wondering why Master Yoda had sent them there. He said he had a vision of a child being there that was destined to be a Jedi by the force. But Qui-gon still had no idea what he meant. Qui-gon’s Padawan stood behind me and looked around in distaste.

"Master, Why don’t they just blow up this forsaken planet and be done with it." Xanantos said, scowling. Qui-gon chose to ignore his apprentice’s comment and started to walk to the town. Mos Esley it was called. A place full of scum and villainy. Why on earth someone would choose this city as a place to raise his or her children was beyond him, for he would never have had he had children.

Mace stopped in his tracks. Qui-gon looked at his friend in confusion.

"He is in the outskirts. On a small moisture farm." Mace said, explaining his stop. They all walked towards the small homestead. Qui-gon reached the door first and knocked on it. Xanantos continued to look around him in disgust. The boy had no compassion for those he felt were worthless. It should have told him that the boy had dark side tendencies.

A young woman opened the door with a toddler huddling behind her skirts. She was slightly confused; as it was not often that they had guests. Qui-gon nodded at her.

"Hello. I’m Mace Windu." Mace said, smiling at the women and then at her child. Both had force potential but the one who had attracted them to this force-forsaken planet was neither. "I’m a Jedi Knight. May my companions and I come in and talk to you for a moment?" She nodded and opened the door father. Xanantos rolled his eyes at the house. He felt high above her.

"I’m Mari Lars." She said smiling, as she showed them the kitchen, where a table sat. "This is my oldest son Owen. My husband, Chraggs, is in town getting parts for the vaporizers. My youngest is sleeping. His name is Ben."

"Milady, do you know that you are force sensitive?" The women looked at them for a second.

"Of course I do. All the Kenobi’s were. But that can’t be why you are here. I am much too old for temple training."

"No, your right. We think that one of your sons may be able to be trained as a Jedi."

"Really, do you think so?" The women’s face lit up at the thought of giving her son a life less ordinary as this. But then her face fell as she behind the Jedi.

"I will not have my son become a Jedi." He said plainly.

"Mr. Lars." The man glared at the Jedi.

"I will not have a hypocrite as a son. You say you protect the universe. Why are the Jedi not here, protecting us from the Hutts? The only things the Jedi care for are themselves. I wouldn’t doubt it if I live to see you fall." The man walked out of the room and outside. Mari sighed.

"Please take my youngest child. Obi-wan is stronger in the force, I can feel it."

"Obi-wan?"

"Ben is his middle name and sometimes nickname."

"But Mommy! Daddy will be mad." Mari turned to her son.

"I know he will, Owen, but it is better this way. Someday your father will listen to reason." Turning back to the Jedi, they could tell she was crying. "Follow me." The two knights followed the women while the padawan stayed with Owen. They were led to a small child who obviously was strong in the force. "Please take him with you, and soon. It will be easier this way. Mace nodded and mouthed thank you. He picked up the child, who remained silent and took him from the room and hurried out the door followed by Xanantos who was all to eager to leave. As Qui-gon was about to leave, Mari held him back.

"Master Jedi, please take care of Obi-wan. I send him to be your son now." Qui-gon nodded and walked away from the women and tried to ignore her sobs.

"Was that really what happened?"

"Yes Obi-wan"

"Master?"

"Yes?"

"I’m sorry about Xanantos. You two must have been really close." Qui-gon looked down at the boy. He was still feeling the pain of having to kill Xanantos. Obi-wan had saved his life then. That was what made him want to take the boy as his padawan.

"At one time we were. Somehow over the years we grew apart."

"I hope that never happens to us." Qui-gon smiled.

"Neither do I, Obi-wan. Neither do I.

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