Jedi Council Forums - Freedom in Death (quasi-JA)

Yarael Poof and this forum are dead. But they both live on in our hearts.

Jedi Council Forums » Fan Fiction » Classic Fan Fiction »

Locked Topic | Read Only Topic | Previous Active Topic | Next Active Topic

Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 - ~~Previous~~ | Next | Reload

Author	Topic: Freedom in Death (quasi-JA)
Maelisaandii Registered: Feb '00	Date Posted: 2/29/00 6:15pm Subject: Freedom in Death (quasi-JA) - Date Edited: 1/19/05 8:40am (1 edits total) Edited By: Herman Snerd
	I've been doing the lurking/exclaiming-at-the-considerable-talent thing for a couple weeks now, and I've been loving it! You guys are REALLY good here! Anyways, this is a story I've had kicking around in my head for quite some time now... a few months ago I decided I should put it down on paper before I forget it. I post it here because, hey, someone might find it has entertainment value! This being my first fanfic, I would very much appreciate critique. Am I too descriptive? Is my language too flowery? Etc etc. I call it "quasi-JA" because it is about Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice. Only the apprentice isn't Obi-Wan (sorry!) This takes place way before Obi-Wan... possibly Qui-Gon's first Padawan, but I'm not going to be concrete about that. Let's just say its before Xanatos. Ok, that being said (deep breath) here goes. [This message has been edited by Maelisaandii (edited 02-29-2000).] [This message has been edited by Maelisaandii (edited 02-29-2000).]
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Maelisaandii Registered: Feb '00	Date Posted: 2/29/00 6:26pm Subject: Re: Freedom in Death (quasi-JA)
	An insistent thumping interrupted the Jedi Master’s meditation. He sighed, his strong voice echoing about the small, dark chamber. Slightly annoyed, he reached out and found the source of interruption. A familiar consciousness... it was his Padawan apprentice. But an unfamiliar feeling. She was upset about something. Very upset. His annoyance melted into concern as he felt the confusion emanating from her. ~Come in, Maelisaandii~, Qui-Gon Jinn thought, projecting his thoughts to her with the Force. A small gesture, and the door swung open. His student stepped into the room, her face a study in apprehension and nervousness. Maelisaandii was not a tall woman, Master Qui-Gon towered head and shoulders over her. She possessed an almost dazzling prettiness, but it was of a hardened sort, as though her beauty had been carved from solid obsidian. Her royal blue eyes dominated her face, mysterious and veiled. It seemed to many that there was a legacy behind them that only she knew about. Her black hair hung to her waist, but now it was twisted into a tight, utilitarian style. She wore the traditional garb of a Padawan learner. Appearances were deceiving in this case, for this student was very different from any others in the Temple. Something set her apart. She had an exceptional talent for the Force, and she learned very fast. In a mere eight years, she had reached a level of achievement usually only gained after twelve years of careful study. There were other things as well, things that made her a very difficult, and even dangerous student. A darkness clouded her spirit, almost intangible, sort of a scarring from some past experience which made her extremely given to anger. Also, there was a hardness to her, a lack of compassion that distressed many of the Jedi Masters. This probably came from the fact that she had not come to the temple at the normal time. A story in itself, that, Qui-Gon thought. Maelisaandii had “appeared” on the Temple’s doorstep eight years ago; twelve years old, tight-lipped, scarred, hardened- and half-trained in the ways of the Jedi. A problem, she poses, Yoda had said. What to do with her? Train her? Certainly not! She was far too old! But, once again, Qui-Gon Jinn had questioned the ruling of the council. What if she should use her talents for evil? The council had heaved a collective sigh, arguments had been exchanged. But in the end, Qui-Gon had taken her on as a Padawan learner. There was much experience behind those eyes of hers, and much anger. Qui-Gon had dismissed it as a normal consequence of her life. Now, however, the anger present in her mind was definitely not normal. Her consciousness was a roiling cacophony of fear, anger, frustration, and all the negative emotions that the Jedi tried so hard to extinguish in themselves. Qui-Gon sensed this right away, and his brow creased in concern. “What is it, my young Padawan?” he asked her. Maelisaandii shifted restlessly from one foot to the other, as if trying to find a place to begin. “Master, I am sorry for interrupting you…” she began, but Qui-Gon waved a hand. “Don’t worry. I sense it is important. You seem restless, and this chamber is only made for one occupant. Why don’t we walk in the Temple courtyard?” The young woman nodded tersely, and the two of them left the chamber and walked out into the bright Corescant sun. The teacher’s mind was calm and serene, the student’s agitated and restless.
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Alli-Wan Registered: Dec '99	Date Posted: 2/29/00 8:27pm Subject: Re: Freedom in Death (quasi-JA)
	Very good. Nice descriptions. Awaiting more! -----signature----- “And occasionally, a handkerchief comes out to wipe away a tear of laughter. That is my reward. The rest goes to the government.” --Victor Borge http://www.geocities.com/alli_wan Like the truth, I'm still out there.
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
jedi_master_gimpy Registered: Jan '00	Date Posted: 2/29/00 9:27pm Subject: Re: Freedom in Death (quasi-JA)
	I like it a lot!! Write more, Please! -----signature----- "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23 "carnivorous salamanders the size of whales!" Your barnacle goes to college.
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Maelisaandii Registered: Feb '00	Date Posted: 3/2/00 1:00am Subject: Re: Freedom in Death (quasi-JA)
	Thanks! I'm way to tired to be coherent right now... been rehersing and performing a play this week. Can I say "zombie"? <g> Anyways... I'll post the next part soon.
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Maelisaandii Registered: Feb '00	Date Posted: 3/2/00 7:53pm Subject: Re: Freedom in Death (quasi-JA)
	The Temple courtyard and gardens were designed to promote serenity in study, and to provide a calm place for students to meditate. The décor suggested unity, peace, and concentration. Plants from many different worlds filled the gardens. Normally, it was the most relaxing place in the Temple. However, Maelisaandii’s mental turmoil sent a chord of tension into the air which caused many passing students to do a double-take. Qui-Gon steered his apprentice to a secluded bench in the garden, in the shade of a tree. ”Now,” he said, taking a seat next to her, “What is troubling you, Padawan?” “I received a message from my mother this morning in a hyperspace message buoy.” She reached into a fold in her tunic and brought out a holographic message cube. She touched a corner and a three-dimensional picture appeared. It was a woman on an ornate throne. She was wearing very rich clothes and jewels and had a look of imperious authority about her. Her face bore a striking resemblance to the young Jedi student sitting beside Master Qui-Gon. “That is your mother?” he asked, “Who is she?” Maelisaandii sighed. “My mother is the Ta’a Chume, the Queen Mother of the Hapes Consortium.” Qui-Gon’s eyebrows flew to the hairline. For the first time in a great many years, he was completely caught off-guard. He had heard many stories about the Hapes Cluster over the course of his lifetime. Many were too incredible to be true. The Hapes Cluster was a group of planets- remote, but not quite on the Outer Rim. They were allied together under one woman, the Queen Mother, or Ta’a Chume. The Consortium was notorious for its treatment of visitors, many of whom never returned to their home worlds. The ones who did told of an enormous military, beautiful planets, even lovelier natives, and rich cultures. That his Jedi Padawan was of Hapan royal blood was astonishing, to but it mildly. Maelisaandii noted her Master’s amazement. She touched another corner and the message began to play. The royal woman began to speak in a melodious language, and Maelisaandii translated. “Maeli’Saandii. Your sister, Kylra’Saandii, heiress to the throne, is dead. Your duty is clear. Come home immediately.” The image flickered and disappeared. “That is all?” Master Qui-Gon asked, suspicious. “My mother is not in the habit of giving details to an,” the young woman paused, the corners of her mouth turned down, “an exile.” Qui-Gon raised his eyebrows again. This was a day of many surprises, he thought. He turned his head to look at his student. She was staring at her hands. The Jedi Master waited for her to continue. “A self-imposed exile,” the student added. “I left the Cluster at an early age. Perhaps I should start at the beginning?” Qui-Gon nodded silently. This would be most interesting. “I was the second-born to the royal family of Hapes. My mother, as you know, is the Ta’a Chume. My father was a noble of the high-tech world of Charubah. The union was a summer whim for my mother, and a method for political advancement for my father. I never knew either of them well. The culture I was born into had a place and a typecast for every member. This especially applied to the second-born daughter. She is always depicted as a traitor, a liar, and a jealous cheat envious of her older sister’s fortune as heiress. I was never interested in politics. Indeed, I spent as much time as I could away from the palace. The atmosphere there oppressed me. It was as if a dark cloud hung over the building. I was the only one that seemed to notice.” “It sounds like the dark side,” Qui-Gon interrupted, his hand stroking his beard. “Yes, I suppose it does,” Maelisaandii reflected. “My younger sister, Pallak’Saandii, was my only friend in court. She was not interested in the cutthroat politics of Hapes, and we found common ground. She is the only Hapan I have fond memories of.” Qui-Gon interrupted her again. “You refer to your sisters with the suffix ‘Saandii’, and your mother separated your name into ‘Maeli’Saandii’. Yet you run the both together.” “’Saandii’ is the name of the royal family. All our names are suffixed with it. I ran the two together when I left the Cluster, rather than remove it completely.” “I see. Please, continue, Padawan. I apologize for interrupting.” “When I was three years old,” she resumed, “a lieutenant of the Hapan military took me under her wing. I found later that she had been court-martialed for insubordination. She was very kind to me, taught me many things. Things that would be useful in court- politics, rhetoric, self-defense, the arts of assassination, economics. She also taught me engineering and mechanics because I enjoyed it.” The Hapan student fell silent for a moment, a wave of sad nostalgia crossing her face. “I learned fast, even at such a young age. Hapans mature at a much faster rate than other humans. Anyway, almost two years later, I found out that she had just been training me to wrest the throne from my older sister. I was outraged and, quite naively, revealed the whole plot. Unfortunately, my mentor had already prepared for this eventuality. Evidence was found that I was masterminded of the whole scheme. My mother refused to help me, saying that I should have known better. I found that the sin is not in trying to depose the rightful government, but failing to do so. “After that, my ambition to leave the Cluster became an obsession. I used my engineering skills to obtain a job as a consultant over the Hapan information nets. I never revealed my identity, or my age. I was four and a half. The job proved quite lucrative, and I soon had enough money to purchase a small ship. It wasn’t enough, though, but it was fast and well-armed. I left Hapes, only saying good-bye to Pallak. “The Hapes Consortium is not as peaceful as it is made out to be. I began to make my living as a bounty hunter, hired assassin, and mercenary. I would fight for any cause as long as I got paid for it. I could hunt anyone down. I was the youngest of my class, but I was the best. There was plenty of work for people like me. I became well-known quickly, and could demand top prices for my services. I spent three years in this “trade” before I had enough money to buy my freedom. A long-range ship, a scaled-down Hapan Battle Dragon, built to my own specifications. It was well-equipped, with the fastest engines and the most advances weaponry money could buy. It could be run by one pilot and an astromech droid.” Her face took on a dreamy quality. Obviously she was lost in the memory of the freedom she had gained. Qui-Gon waited patiently. A moment later, Maelisaandii’s features snapped back into the impassive mask that normally characterized her, and she continued. “I left the Hapes Cluster as soon as I had my ship. I called it the Blissful Escape. After that I was lost, with no idea of how to proceed. The idea of spending the rest of my life as a mercenary didn’t appeal to me. I wanted to do something more than that. However, I began to take bounty hunting jobs for money while I tried to decide what to do. “I suppose it was the Force that brought us together. After six months of bounty hunting in the Republic, I met an old Jedi woman on Ord Mantell. I had no interest in her, but she followed me around, and later stowed away on my ship. She said she felt an “ancient legacy of the Force” in my blood. I didn’t really understand what she meant by that for a while. As it turned out, she had been cast from the Temple years earlier for disobedience. I seem to attract that type. “Anyway, at first I was very suspicious of her. The last time someone had offered to train me, I became a social outcast. Slowly, though, she broke through my mistrust. She began to train me in the ways of the Jedi. She told me that what she was doing was forbidden, but
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Maelisaandii Registered: Feb '00	Date Posted: 3/6/00 4:41pm Subject: Re: Freedom in Death (quasi-JA)
	I can’t do this. Qui-Gon would have been ashamed to hear her say that, which is why she didn’t say it out loud. Even without him there, she felt as though he already knew her thoughts, her words, everything. Usually it comforted her. Not now. She didn’t want him to know about this part of her. Not this. This was the ugly Maelisaandii. This was the Maelisaandii that was afraid of the future, that was full of hate and anger. The Maelisaandii that she had tried so hard not to become. The Maelisaandii that she had thought long dead and buried, as far away from her as the Escape was now. Farther, even. The Escape. My ship. Mine. She was Maelisaandii’s sanctuary, her freedom. All hers, she was the envy of any bounty hunter. Maelisaandii grinned. The Escape was why she had never gotten into playing sabaac. She comforted her. She knew ever curve of her, every sound, every little quirk that made the Escape the beauty it was. She loved the ship like she had never loved any person. People- Maelisaandii did not like people. They were greedy, fickle, back-biting, unkind. Not like her ship. The Escape was truly that- escape. Together, they roamed the stars, free from social inhibitions or customs. Free from beings that would abuse them. Maelisaandii treated her ship better than she treated most sentient beings. But it was a Hapan ship. Hapan. How she hated that word. And everything it stood for. So beautiful, the Hapans, so rich and powerful. It sickened her, the opinions people had of the Hapans. So sophisticated, so lovely, so dignified and fashionable and... I’m going to throw up. She clenched her teeth, her fists, and every muscle in her lithe body. Damn them. Getting up from the hard sleeping mat, she began to pace the small apartment like a caged animal. Which was what she would become, if she went back. Caged. I can’t do that again. Again she saw Qui-Gon’s face. How he would tell her she must rise to the occasion, conquer her fear. How he would look at her with those soft blue eyes of his and tell her that “I can’t” should not even be in her vocabulary. Sighing, she thought about Qui-Gon. She wanted so much to please him, to make him proud. He was her teacher, her mentor, her Master... her... yes, even her father. She’d never had one. Qui-Gon had been the only person ever to come close, and she liked that. Liked having a father, even if he didn’t consider himself her father. She wondered if he even realized how much she idolized him. Probably not. It wasn’t something one mentions in passing. Oh, by the way, Master, you’re my surrogate dad. Riiight. Dad. No, that wasn’t the right word. A dad was someone who was fun, who played with you, who was your “buddy”. A father was not like that. A father taught you, guided you, showed you the right way, and, yes, even punished you. Maelisaandii needed that. Single-handedly, Qui-Gon had revised her opinion of sapient beings. He was nothing like a Hapan. Hapan. That word again. I hate them. Tears threatened to form in her eyes. She was not supposed to hate. Jedi did not hate. Jedi were calm, resigned. Try as she might, she couldn’t resign herself to being the Queen Mother of a race she had always despised. Damn them. Her anger flared up again. Stopping her pacing, she sat once more on her bed and buried her face in her hands. It wasn’t fair. She wanted to break something. There was a full length mirror on the door to the ‘fresher station. How lovely it would feel to throw a chair against it, and watch it cascade to the floor in millions of tiny pieces, each reflecting its own idea of the universe. But a Jedi didn’t do that. And she was still a Jedi, even though her whole being was seething with anger, so much that it bewildered her. Where did it all come from? Her fists clenched and unclenched, trying to release the tension. That never worked. She reached into her desk and pulled out a small picture. A very small picture, only a little more than a couple centimeters square. It had been painted by a Jedi, so in tune to the Force that he could guide the microscopic brushes to create such detail, it was impossible to see with anything but the Force. Qui-Gon had given it to her as an exercise, and she had since been using it as a calming technique. She took a deep breath and began to draw molecules together to form a lens. The picture focused. Yes... there was the tree. And the small house. There was a family inside, eating at a table. They were eating roast mynock in some kind of sauce. The girl was wearing a pink dress with blue flowers printed on it. There was a family portrait on the wall. It was cozy in its mundane quality. Mundane. Tranquil. Calm. Yes, calm. The anger was gone. She returned her vision to normal, her mental turmoil at an end for the present. It was time to think rationally. Seriously. A lot of people have to do things they don’t want to. Remember what Qui-Gon taught you. A Jedi values justice above all. Justice. I am not giving the Hapans justice. Surely they couldn’t all be corrupt. She was being unfair. She had only been exposed to the worse kinds of civilization. The Hapan court, with its backstabbing and greed. Certainly the people she had worked for after leaving Hapes were not the most honest sorts. She had never met any of the people she worked with through the nets. What about them? What about the common Hapans? Surely, there were happy families, like in the picture. Loyal people who loved each other more than their own lives. In a kingdom of fifty planets, there just had to be good people. People like Pallak. Pallak. Her sister. She would see her sister again! Suddenly, some of the burden that had settled on her shoulders that morning became lighter. She’d forgotten about that. Pallak was honest, good, loyal, and she was a Hapan. Because of Pallak, she knew there had to be good people in the Consortium. These people need a good ruler. Someone who will care for them, not just for selfish reasons, but for the good of everyone. They need me. I can be that. I can do that. I will do that.
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
HealerLeona Registered: Jan '00	Date Posted: 3/6/00 7:20pm Subject: Re: Freedom in Death (quasi-JA)
	HealerLeona cheers loudly Another thread to follow and quite intriguing at that. Maelisaandii- thanks for feeding my addiction.
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Maelisaandii Registered: Feb '00	Date Posted: 3/7/00 6:03pm Subject: Re: Freedom in Death (quasi-JA)
	Thanks, HealerLeona! BTW, I love your "As Strangers We Meet".. did I get the title right? More soon...
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Maelisaandii Registered: Feb '00	Date Posted: 3/9/00 12:58am Subject: Re: Freedom in Death (quasi-JA)
	“Is she coming?” The sharp question cut through the darkness, its owner shrouded away from the glow lamp held by her companion. The voice was full of contempt, loathing, and jealousy. “She is.” The other’s absent reply suggested a multitude of thoughts. Her flaming red hair caught the light, shining like coppery sunbeams. She is coming. The red-haired woman did not want this, but for different reasons that of her companion. “Stay there, Maeli,” she whispered, “Stay at the Temple. Don’t come here.” “Stop it! I won’t have you keeping things from me.” A sigh. “You are not in authority here,” she said, “Follow what I tell you, and you will live. This is not your skill.” The shrouded woman’s jaw snapped shut. The imperious quality to her stance conveyed that she was not used to such treatment. Yet the other was not inclined to indulge her. Her thoughts were elsewhere, resting on the Hapan princess coming. Coming to her death. Things in the palace were not as they seemed. The Queen Mother was different, perhaps due to the brush with death she’d had years ago. She almost died of a terrible wasting disease. Somehow, though, she’d managed to heal. No one knew exactly how. The doctors were stumped, even suspicious, until the Ta’a Chume had them all executed as incompetents. At least, that was what she said. No one could be sure. Her behavior had altered since then, and only one person knew why. And this person, now holding a glow lamp for the benefit of one she had no desire to save, was only going to tell one person. If she came. Perhaps she would not. Then I could leave here forever. Perhaps I could join her. Among these hopeful wonderings, one thought sliced its way through, screaming to the skies. She can’t come here. Please don’t come here! You will die!
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
jedi_master_gimpy Registered: Jan '00	Date Posted: 3/9/00 10:41pm Subject: Re: Freedom in Death (quasi-JA)
	Wow!! this is really interesting!! Keep it coming! -----signature----- "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23 "carnivorous salamanders the size of whales!" Your barnacle goes to college.
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Maelisaandii Registered: Feb '00	Date Posted: 3/9/00 11:21pm Subject: Re: Freedom in Death (quasi-JA)
	Your wish is my command. <bow> ******************************************* The Jedi Council was in session. Jedi Masters sat quietly in their chairs, minds at peace. Yoda sat in front of a large window that revealed the Coruscant skyline. His wide, sleepy eyes regarded Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, who stood in the center of the circle. Mace Windu, one of the oldest and most experienced Masters sat to Yoda’s left. To his right sat Ki-Adi-Mundi, whose elevated forehead and curling, white beard lent him an air of soft, strange wisdom. Other Jedi Masters, representatives of many other worlds, sat in the Council as well. Eeth Koth, strange and horn-headed; Yaddle, of the same species as Yoda, but decades younger; and one of the strangest, Yarael Poof, his long neck swaying like kelp in the seas of Tad: these and others all regarded Qui-Gon Jinn with calm interest. Qui-Gon himself looked back at the Council members, remembering the last time he had come before them on his student’s behalf. “To old, she is,” Yoda stated, signaling that the matter was closed. But Qui-Gon was not going to give up that easily. “She is half trained,” he said, using what leverage he could. “She could be induced to use what she knows for evil if we do not train her fully.” He was reluctant to use this method. If only Yoda and the other Masters could see the good intentions and conviction to fulfil those intentions he could see in Maelisaandii. Not to mention her prowess in the Force, which was extraordinary. Even Yoda admitted to that. “She already has too much experience, too much anger,” Mace Windu said, his tone speaking his irritation. “Much anger in her,” Yoda agreed. “But she can overcome that!” Qui-Gon protested. “She has a great talent for the Force, it is her right to have the chance to be a Jedi.” The Council’s rigidity frustrated him. Why couldn’t they see what he saw in Maelisaandii? According to ancient Jedi writings, the great Nomi Sunrider had not started her training until her husband died. “The Temple tests are in two weeks. She is trained enough to pass them…” “Take her as your Padawan, you would?” Yoda interrupted him. “Yes,” Qui-Gon said firmly. “Know nothing of her, you do,” Yoda warned. “I can see her intentions.” “Enough, good intentions are not.” “ I believe she will succeed.” Yoda shook his head. Once again, the headstrong Jedi Master had defied them. He sighed. “Very well,” he said, “Take the tests, she will. Determine her future after that, we will.” This recollection took only seconds, but Yoda had noticed Qui-Gon’s distraction. His ears perked up with slight amusement. “Distracted with the past, you were, Qui-Gon,” he said, “Mindful of the moment, you must be.” He quoted one of Qui-Gon’s favorite Jedi sayings, sleepy eyes twinkling a little. “I apologize, Master Yoda,” Qui-Gon said, his mouth quirking up in sheepish amusement. “Something has come up with my Padawan.” Yoda’s ears pricked up in what Qui-Gon recognized as alert interest. He indicated that Qui-Gon should continue. “She has received word that she must return home immediately.” “And where is that?” Master Windu inquired, somewhat sarcastically. He had never approved of Qui-Gon’s choice of a Padawan, and still predicted dire consequences of Qui-Gon’s stubbornness. “The Hapes Cluster. Her mother is the Queen Mother of Hapes,” Qui-Gon stated simply. The entire Jedi Council was taken aback, just as Qui-Gon himself was. All except Yoda. He merely looked at Qui-Gon with his intelligent eyes. “Why did she not tell us before?” Yoda asked in his raspy voice. “She is ashamed of her heritage, Master. However, it her older sister is dead, and she has been called back to take her place as heir.” “A Jedi must not ally herself with any government,” Yoda reminded Qui-Gon, “Continue her training, she cannot.” “She realizes that. Her honor demands that she relinquish her training to rule Hapes.” Qui-Gon stopped, not speaking his full intent. Sensing that Qui-Gon was holding back, Yoda spoke again. “Go with her, you would?” “With your permission, Master. She is still my student...” “Far away, Hapes is,” Yoda warned. “I realize that, and I wish to go anyway.” The small, wrinkled Jedi Master looked away from him, and fixed each of the Council members with his gaze in turn. They seemed to converse silently. Qui-Gon was tempted to use the Force to determine what was being said, but held back. That would be an infraction of privacy. He waited patiently, arms folded. Master Yoda “spoke” with Mace Windu longest of all. The human Jedi Master seemed ill at ease with Qui-Gon’s wish, but he nodded at last. “Grant your request, we do,” Yoda stated. “Go to Hapes, you will.”
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Maelisaandii Registered: Feb '00	Date Posted: 3/9/00 11:33pm Subject: Re: Freedom in Death (quasi-JA)
	Minutes later, Qui-Gon walked down the corridor of the Jedi Temple, lost again in his reverie. Maelisaandii had passed the Temple tests, he reflected, and with extraordinary success. She had surpassed every other student in the Temple in all areas – Control, Sense, and Alter. Even Yoda had been amazed at her quick progress and amount of control. Many of the more self-important students had tried to goad her to anger, but she had not let any succeed. Those students protested when Maelisaandii was allowed to take the tests, using the same arguments as the Council. They had quieted down when Maelisaandii had surpassed them all. Qui-Gon sensed their envious thoughts when his choice of a Padawan was made known. No doubt Maelisaandii could too, but she had been unfazed. Qui-Gon knew that he was a good teacher, a valued Master, and that many students wished to be his Padawan. He acknowledged this without pride, registering it simply as a fact, nothing more. He was not given to vanity, his own Jedi training putting such feelings into perspective. Still lost in thought, Qui-Gon made his way to his quarters. He didn’t have much time before Maelisaandii’s ship would leave for the Hapes Cluster. Reaching the simple room, he began to pack some extra clothes into a small satchel. Qui-Gon’s quarters reflected himself to a degree. The room was comfortable but not sumptuous, practical in its furnishings. It was sparsely decorated, a Jedi had no use for excessive décor. Impeccably clean and organized, it was just like the Jedi Master in that respect. Qui-Gon finished his packing in a matter of minutes. He never carried much with him, and never put anything in his satchel that could not be replaced. Just in case Jedi and bag were separated. Satisfied with his preparations, Qui-Gon left his quarters, walking down the corridor with unhurried alacrity. “Master Qui-Gon,” came a young voice from behind him, “Where are you going?” Turning, Qui-Gon addressed the owner of the voice. A boy of seven years, tall for his age, with black hair and intelligent eyes. An eager young boy, eager to show his worth. Wanting to be the best. Proud, and sometimes arrogant. Qui-Gon gazed at him fondly. “I will be going away for a while, Xanatos,” he said. “My Padawan is going home.” “Will she stay there?” The ambition in the question was obvious, but it was tempered by the boy’s innocence. He did not wish Maelisaandii ill, Qui-Gon knew. But, still, his eyes narrowed slightly. Sometimes this boy could forget his place. “Yes.” “I’m sorry, Master,” the boy said, dropping his eyes to the floor contritely, sensing the elder's rebuke, “I didn’t mean it like that.” Qui-Gon’s gaze softened once more. He could never stay angry at Xanatos for long. Not since he had brought the boy to the Temple. “It is all right,” he said, “Just try to be a little more tactful.” “Yes, sir.” The boy’s manner grew eager once more. “Where is she from?” “Hapes.” “Hapes?!” Xanatos’ eyes widened. “Wow! I mean, nobody goes to Hapes!” He, too, was caught in the romanticism of the place. He was also a small boy, and as such... “Will you bring me something?” The Jedi Master chuckled indulgently. “Perhaps, young one. Now, shouldn’t you be in class?” The boy’s face colored. “Yes, Master,” he said again and skipped off with the abandon one only possesses at that age. Qui-Gon shook his head as he continued on his way. Xanatos was one of the brightest boys at the Temple. He would be a Jedi... a great Jedi. Qui-Gon could feel it. Perhaps, in time he would take the boy on as his next Padawan. His next Padawan. Suddenly, the full impact of that thought hit him. His current Padawan should have at least five years more of study before her. But she would not, leaving him free to take on Xanatos. The workings of the Force were strange. But, he had faith they would work out for the good eventually. Sighing, still contemplating the Force, he stepped out into the Corescant sunlight.
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
HealerLeona Registered: Jan '00	Date Posted: 3/10/00 12:34am Subject: Re: Freedom in Death (quasi-JA)
	I love the early characterization of Xanatos. Imperinent enough even at seven to get a sense of the bad boy in him. Over all an incredibly fine post. Keep 'em coming.
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Maelisaandii Registered: Feb '00	Date Posted: 3/10/00 4:41pm Subject: Re: Freedom in Death (quasi-JA)
	Just a little filler... ******************************************* The Jedi Temple was a place of peace, whereas the outside world was one of bustling activity. Chaotic sometimes, loud always, often overwhelming – Qui-Gon found it rather distasteful as he caught an air taxi to the hangar where Maelisaandii’s ship was docked. It was a small, two-man fighter. There was no name on it, only a registration number. Utilitarian in design, it reflected the practicality of Maelisaandii’s personality. Its curving lines lent it an air of stark beauty, also like the Jedi student. She stood there as he approached, straight and tall like always. The hangar dwarfed Maelisaandii, its sterile gray walls contrasting with her sandy-colored tunic and chocolate brown robe. The hood of the robe shrouded her face. “Greetings, Master,” she said when he was within speaking distance. She raised her head to reveal a calm face, a model of Jedi calm within her robe. Only her eyes betrayed her, showing Qui-Gon her inner turmoil. He was silent on this subject, biding his time. “Shall we go?” he asked, his deep voice soft and calm. “A moment, Master.” Maelisaandii pulled a small control from a fold in her robe, pushing a button and speaking into it. The language was Hapan, Qui-Gon realized, probably a security code. A force field flickered around the ship for a moment, then disappeared, confirming his thoughts. “This has been sitting here for eight years?” he asked. “Not really,” his student replied, “I brought it here from my ship. The Escape is parked in orbit around a dead moon a few light years from here.” She held up the control. “This is a long range beckon call.” The small device, was from Hapes, obviously. Qui-Gon couldn’t recall such a long range device that was available in the Republic. Maelisaandii approached the fighter and leapt into the cockpit with ease. Qui-Gon followed, situating himself in the back seat. He stowed his satchel under the seat. A few minutes later, after all the pre-flight checks were complete, the small fighter rose above the hangar floor and turned towards the sky. It flew proudly under Maelisaandii’s capable hands, maneuvering out of the hangar, past the Coruscant traffic, and out into space. It hovered for a second, establishing a vector, then disappeared into hyperspace to rendezvous with the Blissful Escape. [This message has been edited by Maelisaandii (edited 03-10-2000).]
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Maelisaandii Registered: Feb '00	Date Posted: 3/10/00 5:55pm Subject: Re: Freedom in Death (quasi-JA)
	She should have gotten used the Other-self by now. But, truth be told, she was tired of maintaining her anger for its benefit. Without it, though, she would die. It had seen to that. Or rather, fate had seen to it. She could not live without the Other now. May as well accept that. Soon... soon. Its anticipated filled her, and she shared it to a degree. But she was growing tired of this. Tired of the Other, tired of anger, tired of hating, tired of... well... living in general. She wanted out. But that was also impossible. As if it would let her kill herself. It only allowed her enough freedom to continue in this tormented train of thought, all the time. Not wanting to be so filled with anger didn’t help, she was too deeply entrenched in it. She did not know how to get rid of it. Soon it would be gone. It would leave her, and she would die. It would enter the more powerful one. She is coming to me... I can feel her already. So strong. The ancient spirit stirred within her. Or rather, she stirred within it. She’d given up control of her own body long ago, left only with a small corner of her mind to contemplate her existence. Her miserable existence. That was soon to be at an end. At the expense of her own blood. And you can do nothing. You don’t even care. The voices taunted her. Of course she cared... she wouldn’t wish this existence on anyone. But she couldn’t drum up enough strength to prevent it. Who could? She didn’t care that much. She’d never cared that much... if she couldn’t be happy, why should anyone else. Not that it mattered anyway. Not that anything mattered. Once, she had thought that power mattered. Bah. And if she didn’t accept the Other, she would die. I will kill her. We will kill her. She won’t resist. She won’t be able to. As if it mattered.
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History

Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 - ~~Previous~~ | Next | Reload

Jedi Council Forums » Fan Fiction » Classic Fan Fiction »