Days had passed since the events of Kadavo. Master Yoda suggested that I teach younglings at the temple. And so I decided to take up his offer. I taught some of the clans and today I taught a group of younglings that consisted of Sammo Quid, a male Rutian Twi'lek, Tai Uzuma, a female human, Caleb Dume, a male human, Katooni, a female Tholothian, Ganodi, a female green Rodian, Zatt, a male green Nautolan, Gungi, a male Wookiee, Byph, a male Ithorian, and Petro, a male human from Corellia. Currently, we were in the Room of a Thousand Fountains. The younglings sat on benches, while I stood by a stream.
"The lightsaber is the weapon of a Jedi. But you mustn't always be dependent on it, especially if there comes a time when you may lose your lightsaber or if you are captured." I explained. "You'll need to trust in the Force, not just in your lightsaber. But remember the Force is not a weapon."
At that moment, a hand was raised in the air. I looked over to see it belonged to Caleb Dume. I gave him a smile. "Yes Caleb?"
"Have you ever lost your lightsaber?" Caleb asked.
Tai sneered. "That's a stupid question, Dume. She's the famous Storm Ca'ana."
Sammo nodded. "Yeah, there's no way she would lose her lightsaber."
"Actually I have. I've also been captured several times." I informed them, shocking most of them.
"And you managed to escape each time?" Ganodi inquired.
"Yes, although I've needed the help of my fellow Jedi." I mentioned.
"When I'm older I won't get caught at all." Petro boasted.
Katooni rolled her eyes at his words. Zatt muttered. "Here we go again..."
"That is wishful thinking, Petro. But it can happen to any Jedi, even to the best." I commented.
After my teaching session with the younglings was over, I made sure they returned to their rooms before making my way to the front of the Jedi Temple. I saw Areria standing by a pillar near the front of temple. There was a smirk on her face. "Going somewhere, Master?"
"As a matter of fact I am, I have an important meeting with a certain Diktat of Corellia." I informed her.
Areria's gray eyes widened. "Does that mean you and Koltav are...?"
"Yes, we're back together." I confirmed.
Areria's face lit up. "Oh Master, that's wonderful news."
I then remembered I still hadn't apologized to her about what I had said about her to the Zygerrian Queen. With this in mind, I changed to the subject. "Listen Areria, I'm sorry about what I said to the Zygerrian Queen. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or anything of the sort."
Areria waved it off. "It's all right, Master. I knew you were using the information you knew of Vahla to your advantage. I know you meant no harm."
Areria's face then fell. She furrowed her brows. "Uh Master, you've got someone who wants to talk to you."
I turned around to see Caleb Dume standing before me. He wore a sheepish smile. "Sorry Master Storm, I was just wondering if you would help me with lightsaber training?"
My smile widened. "Of course, Caleb. One of these days when I have time, we'll practice. How does that sound?"
Caleb's teal blue eyes lit up. "That sounds great!"
"Good, I'll see you around." I said, giving his shoulder a pat.
"See you later, Master Storm. I can't wait for our lightsaber training." Caleb replied.
With that he walked off, returning to his room. I turned back to see a teasing smile on her face. "You should go, I'm sure your Diktat is dying to see you."
I chuckled. "I'll see you later, Areria."
I then made my way out of the Jedi Temple and towards the apartment. Koltav bought an apartment penthouse on Coruscant so we could spent more time together. The apartment was located in Kaldani Spires Residential Apartments, near the Monument Plaza. Koltav's penthouse was luxurious, containing a living room with a circular couch, clear Clari-crystalline windows leading towards a balcony, three bedrooms each with a private bathroom, a dining room, a kitchen, a personal hangar beside the balcony, and an office room for Koltav. Once I arrived inside, I was greeted by Sirius.
"Hello Sirius!" I exclaimed, letting out a laugh.
"He was waiting for you." Koltav mentioned as he approached me.
"I'm guessing he wasn't the only one waiting for me." I stated.
Koltav smiled at my words. "No he wasn't."
He then leaned in, planting a kiss on my lips. As we deepened the kiss, I heard R3 beeping not too far from us. I pulled away to see R3 making his way towards me. I placed a hand on his head. "It's good to see you too, R3."
"So how was your day?" Koltav asked as we sat on the couch.
In the middle of the living room beside the couch was a table with a setla lamp. There were several other illuminators around the room along with plants from Corellia, a holotable, and a wish globe that Padmé gave him as a birthday gift.
"It was great. I was teaching a group of younglings." I mentioned.
Koltav's smile widened. "I bet you're pretty good with the younglings."
I shrugged. "I try."
"I can't wait until the war is over. Can you imagine it? We'll be able to get married and have kids. We can start a family of our own." Koltav reminded him. "Knowing your victories, I believe the Republic has a great chance of winning soon."
My heart grew heavy at his words. I thought back to what I knew about Palpatine. As long as Palpatine is Supreme Chancellor, there's no way the Clone Wars will end. I don't know what his plans are, but I doubt he wishes to end the war. And not to mention what I saw on Mortis...Obi-Wan, my son turned to the dark side. Was there something I could do to stop my son from making a mistake?
But that wasn't the only thing that troubled me. He appeared nothing like Koltav instead he looked like someone I had never seen before. It made me wonder whether things would work out between Koltav and me. I mentally shook my head. It must be nothing. Besides the future is always in motion, it isn't fixed. That's what Master Yoda always warned me about. Sirius then climbed up on the couch sitting in my lap, snapping me out of my thoughts. R3 became irritated, letting out several agitated beeps as he slammed my leg.
"Whoa R3, who pissed in your power supply?" I inquired.
"I think someone's jealous." Koltav snickered.
"R3, you shouldn't be jealous. I love you all equally. I don't intend on replacing you ever." I informed him. "You're my best friend, R3. No one can replace you."
R3 let out a high pitch beep, informing me that he was touched by my words. He let out a few more beeps, letting me know that he will try to get along with Sirius. Sirius then wagged his tail as he tackled R3 to the ground for a hug. Koltav and I let out a laugh, happy to see them finally getting along.
"Would you like dinner?" Koltav inquired. "I made Smoked nerf with Mounder potato rice."
I was baffled at his words. "You made dished from our homeworld? What's the special occasion?"
"The occasion is that you're here with me." He commented.
My heart fluttered at his words. My smile widened. What I saw on Mortis must've not been true. Despite Koltav and me having our fights, we still love one another. At that moment, I received a message from my comlink. At once I turned it on, hearing Ahsoka's face. "Storm?"
"Yes, what happened?" I asked.
"It's Obi-Wan, he's dead." Ahsoka informed me.
At her words, my heart dropped. Tears filled my silver eyes at once. It can't be true...he can't be dead.
•••
After getting the message, I went to Obi-Wan's funeral. Koltav had joined me, while I left R3 and Sirius in my room. Padmé, Satine, Nova, my mom, all my senator cousins, Ahsoka, Master Koon, Gida, Tarom, Master Yoda, Master Windu, Areria, and several others attended the funeral.
"I can't believe this happened..." I croaked out.
Tears streamed down my cheeks. Mom stood beside me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Storm. I knew how much he meant to you."
I merely nodded, remaining silent as I stared at his body that was clothed. We watched as they buried his body in a lower coffin chamber before incinerating it. I still couldn't believe he was gone. So many memories flashed through my mind as I stared at the ground where his body was incinerated. He was one of my best friends, he was like an older brother I never had.
Out of all the Jedi, I never thought Obi-Wan would be killed. Once the funeral was over, I returned to my room, not saying a word to anyone. Sirius and R3 sat by my bedside, remaining silent. After a few hours, I heard a knock on my door. I shouted out. "Go away! I don't want to talk to anyone."
Regardless of my words, the door opened revealing Anakin, Ahsoka, and Areria. They all wore sympathetic looks upon seeing me. My eyes must've been red and puffy from all the crying.
"You don't have to talk to anyone, but we know where Obi-Wan's killer is." Anakin mentioned.
At his words, I clenched my fists as I rose to my feet. "I'm in."
Areria, Anakin, Ahsoka, and I headed out on speeders to the last location of Rako, a cantina in the lower levels of Coruscant's underworld. On the way, Anakin informed me that Master Yoda discovered the last location of of Rako Hardeen, the bounty hunter who killed Obi-Wan.
"I still don't understand. Did Master Yoda say how they found the sniper?" Ahsoka asked.
"Who cares. All that matters is they did." Anakin retorted.
I felt like something was off, but I remained silent. I was probably being paranoid, that's all. It wasn't long until we reached the cantina and entered inside, all eyes were on us. Anakin ignited his lightsaber. "Where is Rako Hardeen?"
The bartender, a snake creature sighed. "Back room."
No doubt this sort of thing happened all the time. With that, we headed towards the back room to find Rako on the bed. Areria furrowed his brows. "Is he dead?"
"He's about to be." Anakin replied.
We then shook his shoulder, making him turn towards us. "Jedi? I already killed a Jedi today. Let me sleep."
He then turned back, lying on his pillow. I was livid with his words. I clenched my jaw. "He's not dead. He's drunk."
Anakin then grabbed him, pinning him up against the wall. "Get up, you filth! If it was up to me I would kill you right here!"
"But lucky for you, the man you murdered would rather see you rot in jail!" I spat.
"Now, let's go, you coward, before I change my mind." Anakin urged.
We then took him to the prison. Once the troopers took him, we left. Days then passed since we threw Rako in prison. I kept myself locked away in my room, refusing to see anyone. I grew frustrated and furious upon hearing that Rako escaped prison with the criminals Cad Bane and Moralo Eval. I refused to speak to anyone...that is until Anakin came by my room.
"I know you don't want to speak to anyone let alone see anyone, but I have intel that Rako's on Nal Hutta." Anakin mentioned.
"Obi-Wan's death deserves justice. Let's get that son of a bantha." I replied.
At my words, Anakin and I left my room. We along with Areria, Ahsoka, and Jinx took a ship to Nal Hutta. Once we landed on the swampy planet, Ahsoka spoke up. "What makes you think Obi-Wan's murderer is on Nal Hutta?"
"I got a tip from the Chancellor himself." Anakin informed us.
I didn't like that...Palpatine definitely knew Raako or knew people that were acquainted with him. Maybe Dooku was one of those people. I mentally shook my head. I can't jump to conclusions without having any evidence. We then walked into the town. There were handful of huts around town along with a few shops and a cantina.
"How are we gonna find them?" Areria asked.
"Areria, you should know by now. If you want to find a lowlife..." I began.
"You start at the saloon." Jinx said, finishing my sentence.
We then made our way inside, there were two Gamorreans guards with axes. Anakin and I used the Force to lift their axes and throw them against the wall before knocking the guards back. The crowd inside the salon cheered and applauded. We then approached the bartender, who was a male Ithorian. He wore a translating vocoder around his neck. "The fugitives are already gone."
Anakin furrowed his brows. "All three of them were here?"
"Two came in, met the third." The bartender elaborated.
"When did they leave?" Ahsoka inquired.
"Nothing's free on Nal Hutta, especially information." The bartender retorted.
Anakin used the Force grip on him as he lifted him up in the air. "I don't have time for games."
The bartender began to gasp. "You just missed them."
Jinx narrowed her eyes. "Keep talking, hammerhead."
I shot Jinx a look, but she ignored me. She didn't have to be rude with him. The bartender croaked out. "...I heard one of them say they just bought a ship."
Anakin then released the male Ithorian bartender before turning towards us. "Let's go."
With that we went over to the establishment where one bought ships here. A Bith male approached us, giving us a greeting in his language. We showed him a hologram of the three fugitives.
"We know they bought a ship. Do you know where they went?" I questioned.
He then informed us in his language that they couldn't gave gone far. Anakin raised an eyebrow. "How do you know they couldn't have gotten very far?"
The Bith then replied, explaining to us with a guilty look that he gave them enough fuel to reach the nearest station where his brother was on Orondia. Jinx crossed her arms. "So you only gave them enough fuel to reach the nearest filling station on Orondia, which is owned by your brother?"
Areria scoffed. "Well, that's a nice little money-making scam."
"But useful for us." I pointed out.
"We better get going." Ahsoka advised. "Orondia's pretty deserted. They may steal a ship there, to throw us off their trail."
"I like your thinking." Anakin praised.
We then quickly made our way to the fuel station on Orondia. Anakin flew the ship, while I sat in the co-pilot's seat. Jinx, Areria, and Ahsoka sat behind us. Once on Orondia, we a ship with Cad Bane boarding the ship. Ahsoka immediately spoke up. "Look! It's Cad Bane."
"Are you sure?" Anakin asked.
"Ugh, who else wears a hat like that?" Ahsoka inquired.
"She's got a point." I stated.
We then followed the ship away from the station before pursing them. Anakin managed to scrap a bit of their ship as we gained on them. Anakin then turned towards me before climbing out of the pilot seat. "Storm, take over! I'll bring them down!"
"I'll help him!" Jinx offered.
As I hopped over towards the pilot's seat, taking over for Anakin, I sensed a something off. I reached out to the Force to try and discover what it was, however before I could I was interrupted by Ahsoka's voice. "Storm, look out!"
I then accidentally crashed with the fugitives's ship, and we all crashed onto the ground. Ahsoka, Areria, and I hurried out of the ship to find Anakin and Jinx fighting against Cad and Rako. As soon as Anakin and Jinx were tossed to the ground, Ahsoka, Areria, and I lunged towards them. When I saw Rako, my face fell. The unexplainable had happened. I felt a connection with him...through the Force. Why? Out of all the people in the galaxy, why did I have a connection with this scumbag? I reached into his mind, contacting him.
"What trickery is this? Why do I feel a connection to you, scum?!" I inquired.
"Storm, things aren't what they seem." He replied in my mind.
I then managed to look into his memories, and was shocked with what I found. My stomach dropped. "Obi-Wan?"