Chapter 42: The Storm

The next morning came quickly, and Rey found herself feeling surprisingly well-rested. She begrudgingly dressed in the formal outfit prepared for her and was whisked away by her cyborg aid. There was so little time in her schedule that breakfast had been prepared for her on the transport, and Fama had only gotten in a couple of words before Rey had been dragged out the door.

The flurry of social events that followed made destroying Star Kill Base feel easy. There were speeches, dances, tea parties, and other gatherings. She never saw the same person twice and never really knew what was going on. People were constantly pestering her with questions about her last, her spearhead, and the assassination attempt. Rey answered honestly, though Emi constantly spoke up to amend her statements with additional information.

It was a chaotic and confusing time for her, which was only made worse by her continued inability to call on her usual force abilities. At her current rate of healing, it seemed it would take another week for her to be able to use her normal skills once more and perhaps a month before she was completely better. By that point, the Peace Talks would be over with, and in hindsight, she wished the Jedi Sacred Text had warning tags and that she hadn't been so rash with attempting its Forbidden Skills.

As hours flew by, despite growing increasingly tired, Rey also couldn't help but feel a growing sense of excitement build up within her. These peace talks could right all the wrongs of the last half century, and an era of war and terror could finally be considered truly over. As the inception of this historic event grew closer t, tension began to spread throughout the planet-wide city. The boring political meetings, talks, and other gatherings began to blur together as the commencement ball grew closer.

Rey only returned to her senses when she was boarding a transport, and a familiar voice cried out, “Master!” A hug-like tackle from the small figure of her Padawan nearly knocked her off her feet while the girl squealed, “Don't I look pretty.”

The Jedi Master recovered her balance and looked down at the girl, happy to be around a friend rather than strangers who ogled over her like a zoo exhibit. Still, as a teacher, she spoke sternly after observing the girl's traditional Jedi padawan attire that looked straight out of a history hologram, “Yes, you're very pretty, but a Jedi needs to be in control of their emotions.”

Fama’s expression turned a mix of excitement and seriousness as she responded, “Yes, Master. I'll try harder in the future.”

Although it was not visible, the girl still radiated positivity like a light bulb. Rey didn't know if the girl was terrible at controlling her emotions or gifted, but given Padawan's cheerful and happy demeanor, she didn't believe it to be something that needed immediate consideration. It was said in the Sacred Jedi Texts that compassion was integral to a Jedi's life, while desire should be forsaken. It did not state that excessive positivity was discouraged so long as it did not distort oneself from their meditation or from empathizing with the world around them. Then again, the Sacred texts were written so cryptically Rey wasn't sure if she was interpreting its contents in the right way.

What the Jedi Master did know was that her Padawan hardly ever heard her instructions with such gusto. Raising an eyebrow, she asked the girl while moving to a seat, “You're very excited for this ball, aren't you.”

With radiant enthusiasm, Fama nodded and responded, “Very, very excited. We’ll be making history, you know.”

Rey nodded skeptically and inquired, “I see. Your excitement is solely academic.” The girl nodded with resolve in her eyes as the master dug deeper, “It has nothing to do with the exotic people, food, or dancing, let alone getting to skip out on your usual training.”

While maintaining a frighteningly convening poker face, the girl crossed her arms and responded, “Of course not. We're not here to enjoy ourselves. We're here to foster diplomacy, facilitate negotiations, and remind the Galaxy that the Jedi are still alive.”

Recognizing the exact words she had recited to the child a dozen times before their arrival on Coruscant, the Jedi could only smile and respond, “Very good, you're learning well.”

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Sparks flew as they made intense eye contact, both fully aware of the truth of the matter. The showdown between Master and Apprentice was interrupted as an emotionless voice spoke up, “Perhaps it would have been wiser for Lady Orgona to send your Padawan as the Jedi delegate.” Emi walked over, reading over a holoboard, and finished, “She appears far more insightful and enthusiastic than her Master.”

The two Jedi looked at the cyborg and then back at each other. Fama’s expression was triumphant and riddled with evil glee. While her Master’s was blistering with a blood-curdling irritation hidden behind her eyes. The girl made a hasty retreat over to the aid, responding, “I know. Everyone thinks Master Rey is so smart just because she killed Palpatine.”

Emi looked down at the girl and nodded, “Indeed, it is a terrible misconception.”

Rey had been told many times she would be tempted to give into anger, which leads one to the dark side but had never expected this temptation would stem from her own Padawan and aid. With steam nearly coming from her nostrils, she took a deep breath and attempted to calm herself. The cyborg and Padawan glanced at each other before the little girl laughed, and the woman returned to her holoboard, appearing a little more energetic. Once she was in control of her emotions once more, she gave Fama an ‘I'll deal with you later’ look before beginning to meditate. She wanted to be in an optimal mental state for the upcoming ball.

She quickly sank into a deep trance and could feel the Force flow through and around her. It wasn't as painful as before; rather, it now felt like icy water - sharp, penetrating, and almost unbearable. Rey ignored the discomfort and tried her best to harmonize with the energy that surrounded her. By the time they arrived at their destination, she felt more clear-headed and ready to take on the diplomatic challenge before her.

As they left the transport, the party of three arrived on a long straightaway that lay before the Old Senate Building. Rey had seen the elegant building before, but this time, she froze. The complex was shadowed in an eerie red light that filled the sky, people were fleeing from its numerous entrances, and smoke rose up from its ceiling.

She looked around, confused as to why the people around her were not panicking, causing her Padawan to look at her oddly and ask, “Master...Are you alright?”

Rey looked back to the Senate Building and found it was no longer on fire but rather a glow with dazing lights. She let out a breath and blinked several times before responding by instinct, “It's nothing; the building’s beautiful, isn't it.”

Fama looked disheartened and asked, “Is this the same nothing that got us ambushed by those snow beasts on Hoth?”

The Jedi Master scowled and grumbled, “Yes, that kind of nothing.”

The girl looked up with big, sad eyes and asked, “Why can't we just have a normal assignment.”

Rey shook her head, checking that her lightsaber was easy to reach before responding, “We Jedi, we specialize in the abnormal.” She then turned to Emi and said, “I had a vision. There's going to be an attack on the Senate Building.”

The cyborg nodded but responded calmly, “Let’s not make a scene. We should continue walking.”

They began to move while the Jedi master grew a little confused and asked, “Shouldn't we alert someone. Minerva or the Admiral could do something.”

Emi looked over unphased and responded, “The news is concerning, but as things stand, there have already been two failed attacks tonight.” Both Jedi appeared stunned as the cyborg continued, “I have access to the civil defense data stream; local security has already caught two different terrorist attacks.” She looked at them and finished, “I have alerted the appropriate parties of your vision; however, it will not make a difference. Every possible security measure has already been taken in accordance with what has been agreed upon by the three factions. There is nothing else to be done.”

Rey felt terribly disheartened by this. Visions of the future were not uncommon for Jedi, and even Fama had had a few experiences with them. It didn't help that visions could vary from being 100% accurate to completely wrong. Some were inversions of what was fated to happen, while some were just reflections of the future one feared would come to pass. Rey did not know the nature of the vision she had just experienced, but given her recent luck, it should hold at least some truth to it.

In a stern voice, she added, “There is something else we can try.” Meeting the dark-haired cyborg's eyes, she clarified, “Jedi Intervention.”

Emi nodded at this and responded, “So this is how the next great war starts.”

Rey glared and snapped, “Since when did you have a sense of humor.”

The cyborg responded without a shred of emotion, “Possible when you started paying attention to your classes.”

The Jedi let out a frustrated breath, unable to keep up with the tricky cyborg and her pesky Padawan at the same time. She rumbled back, “I won't start a war; at least, I won't try to.”

Emis's expression turned a little soft at this, causing Rey to be surprised, “Isn't that all any of us can do.”

Rey considered this and smiled; she looked back to the Senate Building, resolved to face whatever storm they were about to walk into, “It is, isn't it.”