"What I found interesting is that it's human nature to have a family"

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Chapter Eight

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Mando'a Translations

Vod - Sibling

Vode - Plural form of Vod (often used to refer to the Clones as a whole)

Kote - Glory (fanon says that Cody's name is actually Kote)

Aliit - Family/clan

Ad - Child

Ner - Mine

Verd'goten - Mandalorian rite of passage taken at 13. If passed it means they are allowed to fight in battles

Resol'nare - The Six Actions a Mandalorian must live by. Education and armor, Self-defense, our tribe, Our language and our leader (Ba'jur bal beskar'gam, Ara'nov, aliit, Mando'a bal Mand'alor)

Mand'alor - Sole ruler of Mandalore

Di'kut - Idiot (lit. someone who forgets to put their pants on)

Udesii - Calm down/take it easy

K'oyacyi - Cheers/Hang in there/Come back safely (In context it means Come back safely)

Ni mav yaimpar - I will return

Othanian Translations

Vutojan - The closest translation is "queer-platonic". Closer than siblings but more platonic than lovers.

~*~

"Track down this bounty hunter you must, (Y/n)."

"Most importantly you must find out who he's working for."

Nodding once, you said, "I request that Knight Kenobi join me on my search. I believe that I will require his assistance."

"Request accepted. Senator Amidala your Padawan may watch over."

Good. Investigating with Obi-Wan would make things easier, though leaving Anakin alone with Padme made you a bit nervous. You had faith in him, but you also knew he felt things very deeply. You'd have to have a conversation with him about possibly pursuing her before you went your separate ways.

"Anakin, escort the senator back to her home planet of Naboo. She'll be safer there. And don't use registered transport. Travel as refugees."

"As the leader of the opposition it will be very difficult to get Senator Amidala to leave the capital."

"Until caught, this killer is our judgement she must respect. Hmm."

"Anakin, go to the senate and ask Chancellor Palpatine to speak with her about this matter."

Sensing the dismissal, all of you bowed and exited the Council chambers.

"Be careful, Anakin," you implored, nervous - as always - about him going to see the Chancellor on his own, "We likely won't have time to meditate or spar before you leave Coruscant. If the Chancellor says or does something upsetting..."

"I'm always careful, Master, you know that," Anakin gave you a grin that did nothing to soothe your fears and went off.

Sighing, you looked to Obi-Wan who seemed just as conflicted as you, "He's a bit young for a solo assignment."

"We were more independent when we were younger."

"Often not by choice. Melida/Daan was a mistake and you know that. Mandalore could have been the end of us, and we supported the killing of a rich culture, and many of our other solo missions were because we got separated from our masters... I feel as though we're on a knife's edge, Obi-Wan, and I'm afraid we're going to be hurt."

Unable to show you physical comfort walking through the halls of the Temple, Obi-Wan reached out through your bond and poured love and reassurance through it. Embracing the comfort, you allowed yourself to let go of your fears for just a few moments.

~*~

Early the next day, you and Obi-Wan were escorting Anakin and Padme to the spaceport where they would travel to Naboo disguised as refugees. Whilst Padme was saying her goodbyes to Captain Typho and Dorme, you and Obi-Wan spoke to Anakin.

"Anakin, don't do anything without first consulting myself, (Y/n), or the Council. Stay put on Naboo and do not attract any attention."

"Yes, Master."

You were quick to add, "You'll be staying with Padme's family so be polite and courteous." Obi-Wan stepped aside to speak to Padme, so you lowered your voice and added, "I will not fault you if you pursue something with her Anakin, but I want you to be careful and remember that you have to be able to let her go, she is not yours to own. Do not feel the need to hide whatever happens from me or Obi-Wan, we wouldn't be able to be angry with you without being hypocritical, now would we?"

Anakin visibly relaxed, seeming as though some great weight had been lifted from his shoulders, "Thank you, Master. I won't let you down."

"I have no doubt about it, Anakin. Stay in touch, with any luck this investigation will be over soon."

Anakin and Padme picked up their bags and stepped off the transport, R2 trailing behind them. He was the only recognizable item they were bringing, but when it was suggested he stay behind R2 let out a long string of curses you refused to repeat. So he was going.

"I do hope he doesn't do anything foolish," Obi-Wan muttered as the pair walked away.

"I'd be more worried about her doing something than him," Captain Typho quipped.

"What a pair they'll make," you rolled your eyes, feeling the headache they'd inevitably give you already, "We should continue with the investigation. I ran the dart through an analysis droid this morning and they couldn't identify it. They said the markings were probably self made, but I doubt that."

Humming under his breath, Obi-Wan suddenly smiled, "How about we go for lunch?"

Picking up on what he was implying immediately, you smiled, "It's been a while since we've been to Dex's."

~*~

"Someone to see ya, honey! Jedi by the looks of 'em."

Head popping up from behind the counter, Dex smiled at the sight of you, "Obi-Wan, (Y/n)!"

"Hi Dex!"

"Hello, Dex."

"Take a seat. I'll be right with ya."

The two of you took a seat in an open booth, next to each other since Dex would likely sit across from you.

"You want a cup of jawa juice?"

"Yes, thank you."

The two of you sat for mere moments before Dex came out of the kitchen, two of his arms outspread for a hug, "Hey, ol' buddies!"

Since you sat on the outside you got hugged first, grunting under the sheer strength of it. When Dex let you go you stepped back and subtly caught your breath. You'd never gotten used to his bone-crushing hugs and probably never would.

When Obi-Wan escaped Dex's clutches as well, the three of you sat down and got to work.

"So, my friend. What can I do for ya?"

Pulling the dart from a pocket hidden in one of your wraps you held it out, "You can tell me what this is."

"Well, whattaya know. I ain't seen one of these since I was prospecting on Subterrel beyond the Outer Rim!"

"Do you know where it came from?" Obi-Wan asked.

"This baby belongs to them cloners. What you got here is a Kamino Kyberdart."

Huh. You'd never heard of Kamino before. If it was Outer Rim it was possible it was insignificant enough to be excluded from your studies. But if they were cloners...

"I wonder why it didn't show up on the scans," you mused.

"It's these funny little cuts on the side give it away. Those analysis droids you've got over there only focus on symbols, you know. I should think you Jedi would have more respect for the difference between knowledge and wisdom."

"Well, Dex, if droids could think, we wouldn't be here, would we?" Obi-Wan quipped with a quiet chuckle, "Kamino... doesn't sound familiar. Is it part of the Republic?"

"No, it's beyond the Outer Rim. I'd say about twelve parsecs outside the Rishi Maze, toward the south. It should be easy to find, even for those droids in your archive to find. Those Kaminoans keep to themselves. They're cloners. Damned good ones, too."

"Cloners? Are they friendly?"

"It depends."

"On what?"

"On how good your manners are... and how big your pocketbook is... Now, how about your regulars on the house, huh? Surely you've got enough time for a meal before you go on another adventure."

You and Obi-Wan exchanged smiles before responding in unison, "That sounds great."

~*~

"It still feels weird not having him here," you whispered to Obi-Wan, staring up at the bronze statue of Count Dooku.

"Yes. We were only close for a short time but even then..."

Just then Master Nu approached, and you paused your conversation - she had been close with Count Dooku as well, and he had always been a sore subject, "Did you call for assistance?"

"Yes. We're trying to find a planet system called Kamino. It doesn't seem to show up on any of the archive charts."

"Kamino? It's not a system I'm familiar with," Madame Nu walked to the nearest databank, "Let me see... Are you sure you have the right coordinates?"

"According to our information, it should be in this quadrant somewhere, just south of the Rishi Maze."

"I hate to say it but it looks like the system you're searching for doesn't exist."

Frowning, you said, "That's impossible. Perhaps the archives are incomplete."

"If it does not appear in our records it does not exist," Madame Nu stated firmly before moving away to help a Padawan.

Glancing at the screen again, you noticed something off about the gravitational pull in the area, "Obi-Wan, look at that right there. There's no stars in that area."

"The gravitational pull suggests that something should be there," Obi-Wan added, stroking his beard in contemplation, "Let's get a datachip of this and go show Master Yoda, perhaps he can shed some light on this situation."

So the two of you created a datachip of the system and went to show Master Yoda. He was currently teaching a class of younglings, as he always did with all his free time. He and Mace were both suckers for kids.

"Don't think... feel... be as one with the Force. Help you, it will," Yoda paused in his lecture when he spotted you and Obi-Wan, "Younglings. Younglings! Visitors we have. Welcome them. Masters, meet the mighty Bear Clan."

"Welcome, Master Pavond, Master Obi-Wan!"

You smiled brightly at the children. Creché Duty had always been your favorite when you were younger, and it remained that way now even if you rarely had the time between missions. Younglings were always so bright in the Force, untainted by missions and seeing the darker parts of the galaxy. All they had to worry about when they were this young was training and eventually finding a Master.

"Hello. We're sorry to disturb you, Master," you said, giving a small wave to the younglings who were happy to wave back.

"What help to you, can I be?"

"We're looking for a planet described to us by an old friend. I trust him. But the system doesn't show up on the archive maps."

"Mmm. Lost a planet two Jedi have. How embarrassing," Yoda teased, drawing giggles from the younglings around you, "Liam, the shades. Gather round the map reader. Clear your minds and find their wayward planet we will."

Placing the datachip in the map read, you stepped back as the room was filled with a projection of the star system Kamino was supposedly in.

Obi-Wan stepped into the display, pointing where there were discrepancies with the gravitational pull, "This is where it ought to be, but it isn't. Gravity is pulling all the stars in this area inward to this spot. There should be a star here... but there isn't."

"Most interesting. Gravity's silhouette remains, but the star and all its planets have disappeared. How can this be? Hmm? A thought? Anyone."

"Master?" A youngling spoke up, wide-eyed but apparently smarter than he seemed, "Because someone erased it from the archive memory."

"Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is. The Youngling is right. To the center of the pull of gravity go, and find your planet you will. Back in a moment, children."

Pulling the datachip from the map reader, you stayed behind with the younglings while Obi-Wan and Yoda spoke. Obi-Wan would fill you in on whatever they said when they were done. In the meantime, you got to spend time with the kids.

"Has the mighty Bear Clan started lightsaber training?" You asked, and the younglings started chattering excitedly, each one eager to tell you how their training was going.

"I want to specialize in Soresu!"

"Oh, well perhaps if you ask Obi-Wan very nicely he will help you practice."

"What do you specialize in, Master Pavond?"

"I'm a Master in Niman."

"Will you take on a Padawan, Master?"

That gave you pause. There was really no better time for you to take on a Padawan. You were in your prime and Anakin was ready to be knighted so you wouldn't have to co-Master him with Obi-Wan anymore. The Council had pestered you in the past as well, encouraging you to find a Youngling with more Grey leanings to support them rather than allow their potential to be stifled. Still... something told you to wait.

"Someday, perhaps, but I can't be expected to take on a Padawan when Obi-Wan and I are about to go on an adventure!"

Yoda and Obi-Wan returned, and you bid the Younglings goodbye. Bowing quickly to Yoda, you and Obi-Wan left to continue your investigation.

"According to Master Yoda, only a Jedi could erase information from the archives."

That was... concerning, "Someone didn't want Kamino to be found. There's definitely more than just a bounty hunter out there."

"Then we should leave immediately."

~*~

The two of you took a small transport, large enough for the two of you and basically nothing else aside from emergency supplies and spare parts. It was fast, and that was what mattered most.

"There it is." It was hard to miss the large grey and blue planet in front of you, "Looks like our missing planet does exist."

"There's a city almost directly below us, we can land there."

Kamino was a dreadful planet, with rough oceans and rain so intense you got the impression it never stopped. No wonder your bounty hunter was hiding there, no one in their right mind would willingly seek this planet out.

Landing gently on the platform - because Anakin wasn't around to pull any fancy tricks - the two of you pulled on your Jedi robes to combat the rain and disembarked. The doors to the large facility in front of you slid open as you approached, and someone whom you assumed to be a Kaminoan approached.

"Welcome to Tipoca City, Master Jedi. The Prime Minister is expecting you."

Surprise flooded your Soul Bond from both sides, though neither of you showed your shock physically. Neither of you were expecting this and you weren't entirely sure how to proceed except to go along with it and subtly gather information.

"We're expected?"

"Of course! He is anxious to see you. After all these years, we were beginning to think you weren't coming. And to have two Jedi Masters come instead of just one is a great honor! Now please, this way."

Sensing no signs of danger in the Force, the two of you followed Taun We. The corridor you walked down was dreadfully white, as was the room you were led into.

"May I present Lama Su, Prime Minister of Kamino, and this is Master Jedi..."

"Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"(Y/n) Pavond."

"I trust you are going to enjoy your stay. Please..." Lama Su motioned toward two chairs, "And now to business. You will be happy to hear we are right on schedule. Two-hundred-thousand units are ready with a million more well on the way."

"That is... good news."

"Please tell your Master Sifo-Dyas that we have every confidence his order will be met on time and in full. He is well, I hope?"

Brows furrowing, you leaned forward in your seat, "I'm sorry, Master..."

"Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas. He's still a leading member of the Jedi Council, is he not?"

"Master Sifo-Dyas was killed almost ten years ago."

And he was kicked off the Council two years before that. Depending on how long this has been ongoing, he might not have been a part of the Order when he came here, you added through the bond.

Something isn't right here, came Obi-Wan's reply, What did he order?

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. But I'm sure he would have been proud of the army we've built for him."

Your stomach dropped. Kaminoans were cloners. Cloners and a request for an army equals... an army of clones. Of kriff.

"An army?" You grit out, struggling to find any other words that wouldn't offend your hosts. The entire place felt wrong, and now that you were focusing on it you knew why. There was an overwhelming amount of life forms here, but more than that they were tainted by negative emotions and pain.

"Yes. A clone army. And I must say one of the finest we've ever created."

"Tell me, Prime Minister, when Master Dyas first contacted you about the army did he say who it was for?"

"Certainly. He said that the clones were made for the Jedi in order to serve the Republic."

Master Dyas was plagued with prophetic visions. You don't think-

He went insane because of those visions, we can't be sure what ones were accurate in the end.

"You must be anxious to inspect the product."

"That's why we're here."

The Prime Minister stood and the two of you were quick to follow. Taun We trailed behind you, watching but ever-silent.

Walking through the facility filled you with awe and disgust and you knew Obi-Wan felt the same even without the bond. The first area you passed was a facility consisting entirely of embryos, thousands of them waiting to be decanted. They had tiny Force signatures, each one unique and marking them as an actual person.

"Very impressive," Obi-Wan broke the silence with a compliment you knew was said to hide his horror.

"I'd hoped you would say that. Clones can think creatively. You will find that they are immensely superior to droids. We take great pride in our combat education and our training programs."

The next area you stopped at was somewhat modeled after a school, full of identical children that seemed to be around ten. Their Force signatures were much stronger than the embryos, and only went to show how unique each of them was.

Beneath the brilliance of the presence in the Force was an underlying feeling of fear and anxiety. It was ingrained into them like they'd grown up feeling that way and they were unlikely to stop. Hot rage curled up in you that you struggled to temper. What the kriff had the Kaminoans done to them?

"You mentioned age acceleration?" Obi-Wan's question brought you back to the present and grounded you.

"Oh yes, it's essential. Otherwise, a mature clone would take a lifetime to grow. Now we can do it in half the time."

"I see."

It's unnatural. These people should be ten at most, and instead, they're in their twenties. They must have modified their brain chemistry as well to match their aging bodies.

True-bred soldiers, Obi-Wan sent back bitterly, and you knew he was thinking of his time in Melida/Daan.

The next area was a mess hall, full of mature clones. The fear you felt in the young ones was much duller here. Likely, they'd formed rudimentary shields without even knowing it as they grew- determined to hide their emotions from their superiors.

"We modified their genetic structure to make them less independent than the original host. They will follow every order."

Bile rose in your throat. Slaves. The Kaminoans had created slaves for the Jedi and the Republic.

"And who was that?"

"A bounty hunter named Jango Fett."

Jango Fett... it sounded familiar, but you struggled to remember where you had heard it before.

"And where is this bounty hunter now?"

"Oh, we keep him here. Aside from his pay which is considerable Fett only demanded one thing: an unaltered clone for himself. Curious, isn't it?"

Mandalorians loved children, and whether they were a bounty hunter or not any True Mandalorian would be eager to teach children. Though the fact that Fett was so willing to condemn so many of his own - arguably his children - gave you pause.

"Unaltered?"

"No tampering with the structure to make it more docile and no growth acceleration."

"I would very much like to meet this Jango Fett."

"I would be most happy to arrange it for you," Taun We offered.

"Perhaps while Obi-Wan speaks with Fett I can meet with some of the clones? I'm interested to see how they... function." You held back a cringe at your wording, but knew referring to them with the proper terms would alienate you from the Kaminoans, which wasn't what you needed at the moment.

"Yes, that can easily be arranged."

Lama Su and Taun We led you to a room just as medicinally white as everything else, but there were two pale blue couches and a caf table.

"Three of the best clones will be in shortly."

"Many thanks," you bowed to the Kaminoans, shooting Obi-Wan a look before they left.

Be careful, and don't think with your saber

You're thinking of Anakin, not me, beloved

Who taught him?

Both of us, Obi-Wan's wry amusement spread through the bond and it calmed you down considerably, though your mind was still stuck on the clones.

They call them products. These men have been completely dehumanized, you seethed.

It makes me angry as well, (Y/n). They're slaves.

I'll see what I can gather from the ones I speak with

And I'll speak with Fett

The door slid open and in walked a droid followed by three clones dressed in a red uniform and a Kaminoan.

"Master Jedi, this is CC-2224, CC-3636, and CC-3852. They are three of our best products."

The trio snapped to attention and saluted in such unison it startled you. They didn't dare make eye contact and instead stared at the wall behind you. Well trained and afraid to potentially challenge your authority.

"Thank you for your efficiency. Would you mind if I spoke to the men alone?"

"Of course not," the Kaminoan's emotions said otherwise as they projected slight annoyance, "I will return later."

The droid followed the Kaminoan out, having set up tea on the caf table. Good, you didn't want the droid there either. For all you knew it could have contained a listening device.

"At ease," you said when you noticed the men were still saluting, "Come, sit."

The men were hesitant to comply, but did as you said. Following a questionable order was better than not following an order at all, you were sure they were taught. You noticed only one teacup was near the pot. The other three were stacked and seemingly just for show. Frowning, you set a cup in front of each of the men and poured them tea before pouring a cup for yourself.

"You were introduced with numbers, do you have preferred names? Pronouns? Do you prefer the numbers?" None of the men were keen to answer since it wasn't an order, so you continued, "I apologize, I haven't even introduced myself. I am Jedi Master (Y/n) Pavond," you gave your pronouns and softened your voice, "And I am not here to harm you in any way. What is said in this room will be kept between the three of us. I give my word."

They seemed much less hesitant after your own introduction and promise.

"My vode call me Cody, Ser. He/him."

Kote. Glory. Obi-Wan's vutojan

"I go by Wolffe, Ser. He/him."

Vod'ika. Aliit. Master Plo's ad.

"My name is Drifter, Ser. He/him."

Ner. Vod. Vutojan.

Blinking, you struggled to process the whispers in the Force after every name. All of these men would be important to you one day. Maybe one day soon.

"It is an honor to meet all of you. May I ask some questions?"

"Of course, Ser."

"Cody, you spoke of the others as brothers- siblings. Is that how you see each other?"

All of them seemed surprised at both the personal question and the fact that you knew what Cody meant.

"Yes, we see each other as brothers. We are aliit."

"How do you know Mando'a?" Drifter asked, then stiffened, "I apologize. I did not have permission to ask that."

Force, these men were so traumatized. They were truly slaves, scared to speak out of turn and have their own names. Anakin acted similarly when he first arrived at the temple. The fact that Sifo-Dyas predicated a war requiring such a large army gave you pause, but whether that war happened or not you would do what you could for these men.

Smiling reassuringly, you made sure to exude nothing but calm and reassurance. These men weren't Force sensitive, but they could pick up on your body language and mannerisms, "You do not need my permission to ask questions. If you have any while we're talking feel free to ask them. To answer your question, I spent a year on Mandalore when I was younger for a mission. I learned much about Mandalorian culture there. Did Jango Fett raise you as Mandalorians?"

All of them shook their heads, but it was Wolffe that spoke, "Fett taught the first couple of batches and they taught us. Many of the instructors claimed our training counted as a verd'goten, and we swear to the resol'nare when we are of age because of it."

"Impressive and fascinating." Their culture must have been incredibly similar to that of Mandalorians, but without living on Mandalore - not that it mattered anymore - or being directly raised by Mandalorians, they probably had their own sub-cultures as well. Wait, did Wolffe say-

"Who trained you?"

"Mandalorians. Fett brought them with him when he first came in order to train us properly. Many have left as their contracts ended over the years, but there are a few left that still teach. Now it's mainly simulations."

"Why would Mandalorians follow- Fett is the Mand'alor," the realization hit you like a ton of bricks. That was why his name was familiar. At Galidraan, the slaughter of the True Mandalorians. He killed 6 Jedi. After he was declared Mand'alor because Jaster Mereel died in the fight.

"Yes, Fett currently holds the title of Mand'alor."

"Why would he create an army for the Jedi?" You asked yourself quietly, shaking your head to get back on track. You could ask yourself that later, "It's shocking but not important. Not for now at least."

"Do Jedi feel emotions?" Wolffe asked the question bluntly, and both Cody and Drifter smacked him upside the head for it.

"Di'kut," Cody hissed, and Wolffe quickly acquiesced to him, though there was a playful glint in his eye that made you wonder how close they were.

"Udesii," you responded with a laugh. You liked these men, enjoyed their personalities and their obvious brotherhood. Their Force signatures wrapped around each other, thrived together, "We do. I suppose it's a common misconception that we don't. The Force is heavily connected to our emotions, and it can be dangerous if we can't control them. Some choose to lock down their emotions entirely, others choose to simply control them rather than be ruled by them."

"And do you..." Cody hesitated, and you noticed that Drifter and Wolffe were entirely focused on him. Out of the three, Cody seemed to have the most authority. You wondered how that translated to the larger masses, if the Vode had their own power structures, "What are we to you, General?"

"People," you answered simply, "You are individuals who look similar but are completely unique. You are... bound to us in ways we didn't know and didn't understand. You are soldiers bred for a war I don't know is going to happen. But more than anything, you are valuable. Each and every one of you is important to me."

The three were struck dumb by your answer. Taking advantage of the silence, you reached out for Obi-Wan. The two of you had shielded yourselves when you were seperated to prevent distraction, but you were curious as to how his talk with Jango Fett was going.

Obi-Wan-

"(Y/n)," Obi-Wan rushed into the room, soaking wet and out of sorts. Blood dripped down his fingers and hit the pristine floor, "We must go."

"What happened?" You stood, hurrying over and lifting up his hands to look them over. There were cuts there that looked to be from some sort of cord around his wrists and on his palms.

"Jango Fett tried to flee, I tried to stop him," Obi-Wan winced when you got too close to his injuries, "I saw him when I was reporting to the Council. We fought and he got away but I put a tracker on his ship."

"Then we must go," turning back to the clones, you bowed deeply, "Thank you for your time, but I'm afraid we must leave."

"Of course," the three demonstrated their strange unity again by standing and walking to you together.

Cody gave you a once-over, and you felt like you were being tested, "K'oyacyi, vod."

You were shocked that you had been accepted as one of them so quickly, but Cody seemed to be a high authority among the Vode and neither Wolffe nor Drifter argued so you embraced the idea of many new brothers, "Ni mav yaimpar."

With that, you quickly left the facility with Obi-Wan, whose wrists had yet to stop bleeding.

"They called you their sibling," Obi-Wan stated the obvious.

"Yes. I think it's because I proved that I care for them. I assume you'll gain the title one day as well. The Force told me that we'll be close with them, you with Cody especially and me with Drifter and Wolffe."

"I didn't realize the clones had names."

"They name themselves, I think. They were hesitant to share them, but I promised they wouldn't face more repercussions and they calmed down. I went through the same process when they wanted to ask questions. They're curious but conditioned to expect punishment if they step out of line."

Obi-Wan was silent until you reached the doors leading out to the rain. The two of you paused to pull up the hoods on your robes, and he sounded pained when he spoke next, "What are we going to do?"

You didn't have an answer, so all you could do was send waves of reassurance through the bond.

The two of you rushed through the rain to make it to your ship, starting the takeoff sequence and linking the navigation system to the tracker on Fett's ship. When you were out of the atmosphere you set the autopilot and got a tight grip on Obi-Wan's sleeve.

"Come on, I'll treat your wounds while we fly."

There were only two people who could get Obi-Wan to sit still long enough to be treated. You and Master Che. Both of you had the innate ability to scare Obi-Wan enough to force him to accept medical treatment. It was a gift, truly.

First, you gently wiped away the blood, though the Kamino rains had done much of the cleanup for you. After that, you slathered bacta along the lacerations and wrapped his wrists and hands in an imitation of the wraps you used for hand-to-hand practice.

Kissing Obi-Wan's cheek to signify you were done, you paused when you saw the conflicted look on his face.

"Obi?"

"I don't think you want me to say it."

Sighing tiredly, you asked, "Do you have a bad feeling about this?" Obi-Wan nodded, "Wonderful."