𝚌𝚘𝚍𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚘𝚗 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎.
Rylann Tetra, Shaak Ti's padawan, is stationed on Kamino to her disliking. Ry, taken from her home when she was only two, is upset that she didn't get a choice to become a jedi, wishing she was never discover...
The elder Pro'oz, whose file called him Kallo, was about to lunge for the kid, but Rylann raised her hand to signal for them to halt. "Captain Kallo Pro'oz? Sergeant Joseta Pro'oz?" she asked, noting their names and achievements on the file.
Both of the siblings jumped to attention, saluting her. "Commander!"
Rylann wanted to smile but held it in as she turned to the boy, Reff. "Sergeant Reff Stanzis?"
"Commander!" he said, saluting as well.
"Are you implying that the Pro'oz siblings are only here because of their mother's position as senator?"
He froze for a second before nodding slowly. "Yes, ma'am."
"Let me be as blunt as possible," Rylann said, holding the tablet behind her back. "Your files state that you are the grandson of Emekk Jessta?"
Reff reddened, nodding quickly. "Yes, ma'am," he squeaked out, gulping.
"Emekk Jessta is one of the top funders for the Corellian Militant Academy," Rylann stated with a shrug. "So don't even whine about senator's kids being thrust onto the frontlines when you are there yourself thanks to the funds of your grandfather." Rylann cleared her throat. "Alright, let's get moving."
The other students brushed past them, mumbling amongst themselves. Reff shot a glare at the siblings, trying to brush past Rylann, but she grabbed his arm. "Listen closely," she started, voice lowering. "If you try to slither back to your grand-daddy and whine about some jedi that called you out, just know that I am the padawan of the Jedi who is making all of this happen. So tread carefully, Stanzis."
The boy nodded, gulping a lot before slinking away with the other group. Joseta Pro'oz and her older brother stopped at her side, standing there for a moment.
"Thank you, Commander Tetra," Joseta said, offering a relieved smile. "I can't believe the nerve of that guy sometimes and it was a nice feeling to have someone stand up for us."
Rylann smiled sadly at her. "Not used to people sticking their necks out for each other?" she asked, laughing dryly. "Welcome to the club. It's not bound to happen much in the political world. And thank you."
Joseta furrowed her brows, looking to her brother who in turn just shrugged. "For what?"
"I was seriously about to punch the manchild in the face before you intervened," Rylann chuckled. "I am trying to learn to control my anger and impulses and people like him don't make it easy."
"Life would be a lot easier without difficult people," Kallo agreed, patting his stomach. "Anyway, I want to go eat and take a nap. Any chance those are the next two stops on the tour?"
"We shall see," Rylann said with a laugh. "Not even I know."
【 ⌖ 】
Shaak Ti
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Mandalore looked vastly different from when Shaak Ti last went. The city no longer was decimated by war, instead was glowing with prosperity and growth. As much as Shaak Ti hated to admit it, Duchess Satine had done a great job rebuilding after the death of her father.
Shaak Ti made her way up the white stairs to the Duchess's palace, mind drifting to how her padawan had been arrested here. A small laugh escaped her lips at the thought Rylann was certainly an interesting padawan which meant it would be interesting for her to lead her first mission.
Shaak Ti remembered the first mission she led like it was yesterday. It was in the Hette system during tough negotiations for the planet Torlek. It went interesting enough that it kept her there for a few months which also meant many trips over to Kenobi's home planet, Stewjon. She even smuggled him over there once after his Mandalore mission with Qui-Gon.
Shaak Ti's heart deflated. That was so long ago that it felt like a different lifetime. No intergalactic war, no commanding armies, just making peace and growing knowledge. Back when childhood didn't feel like a fantasy and knowing Obi-Wan had been easier. After those missions, things got complicated. There were no choices before then, no doubts, but after Mandalore, there was a change in Obi-Wan. Maybe Shaak Ti was selfish for wanting Kenobi for herself. They'd been friends her whole life and she was his only female influence which led to night-long talks and fun adventures. But then his life became filled with more acquaintances and she was pushed back further. Yes, maybe she was selfish, but so was he for thinking they could go back to how it was without him even making an effort.
"Shaak Ti!" the Duchess's voice rang out across the outer steps of the palace. Duchess Satine quickly went down the steps to greet Shaak Ti. She stopped in front of her, unsure of what to do. She flinched as if about to hug her, her finger moved as if about to shake her hand, and then she just froze. "It's been so long."
"Indeed it has," Shaak Ti stated, looking behind the Duchess to see a young blond girl who looked so familiar. Shaak Ti blinked in surprise. Surely not. But as soon as she thought she saw a resemblance to someone she once knew, it was gone.
Shaking the thought from her mind, Shaak Ti looked at Duchess Satine. "Is this Wynn Avunn?"
Satine smiled, her pearly whites glistening perfectly. "Yes, it is. Wynn, this is an old friend of mine and your future master's."
Shaak Ti bowed to the young girl who was around her height. "I am Shaak Ti," she started, offering a genuine smile. "I believe you met my padawan."
A confused look flickered across the girl's round features.
"A padawan is a student to a master in our Jedi culture," she explained. "My student is Rylann Tetra."
"Oh!" Recognition flashed across the girl's features. "The girl who got arrested. Tech, Hersehl, and I got them out."
Shaak Ti nodded with a chuckle. "Yes, she is actually training to be their General on Coruscant right now. That's where you are going to be with General Kenobi."
A flicker of fear was evident on Wynn's face for a moment before she smiled. "This sounds rather exciting. To travel outside my own planet."
Satine nodded, placing a hand on Wynn's shoulder. "Yes, it will be fun to explore the galaxy and keep peace."
Shaak Ti frowned. Why would Satine even offer for a girl under her care to become a jedi? Didn't Satine avidly hate that the jedi were a part of the war? Something wasn't adding up. Shaak Ti just had to figure out what.
A/N: Trying to get a headstart on this book so that I can get to writing the next ones better. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
