The lone figure stared out into the inky void on the other side of the transparsteel window. He could see distant suns winking mischievously back at him, beckoning him to stop what he was doing and visit and get to know them better. No matter how much they called he knew it was something he could not even dare to dream of doing. The tall figure was on another mission. One he could not fail, even though he desperately wanted to. The transport continued to scream its way through space and there was no force strong enough to stop it. Ice blue eyes studied every minute detail not wanting to forget anything. From the sealant that kept the precious air from seeping out of the cracks of the transparsteel to the annoying buzz and flickering of the light overhead. He wanted to not only brand this moment in his memory but also in his heart. He turned his head and his gaze landed on the small bundle nestled in the crook of his arm causing him to smile. He couldn’t understand why this had happened to him, so he gave it up to the will of the Force. The bundle moved causing a corner of the blanket to fall and expose a patch of fiery red ringlets. He reached up with his long calloused fingers, but paused mid-movement. How was it he, a Jedi Knight defender of the galaxy, was so scared of that little bundle. It was amazing how tiny she was, and she was completely dependant upon him. He knew he would do everything in his power to protect her until the end. He had brought children back to the temple before, but this little bundle was different. Special. She was his. That had surprised him more than anything else in the galaxy ever could. “I am sorry Small One,” he told her as he finally got brave enough to run his finger through her fiery wayward ringlets. “I had to take you away. I wish it hadn’t come to this. You should be with your mother, but after what I witnessed, her erratic actions toward you. Your mother is unwell.” That was a delicate way of putting it he told himself wryly. After what had happened, what she had attempted to do to their child because he was unable to do what she wanted… It was so easy to diagnose. She was completely insane, driven into her own madness from wanting things she could not, could never have. This small child’s mother forced those around her to do everything in their power to find a way, no matter what the cost, to get her what she wanted. Yes, she couldn’t have him, but couldn’t she have been happy with a part of him. A part that he would have loved to share with her. “I know I must do everything in my power to keep you with me,” he whispered down to the sleeping child. “I have to, no must convince them to allow you to stay with me.” But they had already heard all of his arguments and ruled against him. Not enough midichlorians in her blood. It didn’t matter if she was related by that blood or not. He had gone as far as to threaten them with leaving, but in turn was told if he did what good would that do the child in the end. He still had his padawan to think of. She was close to taking her trials, but what of other future padawans. How was he to train them as well as take care of his child? It was something he would have loved to learn as he went along. This small child did not deserve what was to come. To not know anything of whom she or her family was. Not to tell her would be unkind, but to tell her and not allow her to experience it would be cruel. Footsteps sounded on the metallic floor of the corridor. In a fluid movement the tall master covered up the fiery curls with the blanket keeping them out of sight of whoever may be coming. He didn’t know why but something was telling him to keep her hidden. You could never be too careful. The right amount of credits could find any information they wanted no matter the distance. A crewmember soon appeared from around the corner. Glancing nervously at the stoic Jedi master he bowed in respect, but the swallowing of tension was clearly audible. “Master Jedi,” he began reverently, “I was sent to inform you that we will be landing soon.” “Thank you,” he answered stoically. “I will be ready to disembark as soon as we land.” That was a lie. There was nothing he wanted to do more than stay on that ship hidden away from everyone except the little one in his arms. He felt the lurch of the ship beneath his feet and his heart seemed to lurch in succession. Was it so wrong that he wanted just a few more moments? Just a few moments now could mean a lifetime of memories later. The click of his boot heels rang out as he made his way down the corridor to the loading ramp. He knew what he had to do, but that didn’t stop him from cursing the sound of each step he took. Once he reached the loading ramp he noticed the rain and for once mentally thanked the weather regulators. His journey would be that much slower and give him extra precious moments. Wrapping his cloak securely around himself and the tiny bundle still in his arms, he made his way out into the rain. The rain had made small rivers running down his cloak as he finally arrived at his destination. Why did he feel as if he were condemning her to a fate worse than death? He knew in his head that it was the only alternative. Anything else would be death. The council had already voiced their opinions, but there was nothing saying he couldn’t continue to fight against them and put things right. She would be safe here and that was his main priority. To be an unknown child than with him, a prime target, where she could be easily located and taken away when the chance arose. They would wait for there chance even if it took years to accomplish. The child’s mother now had a way to extract her vengeance upon him. It would be so easy. If something happened to this child it would be as if she had reached inside his chest and ripped out his heart. Suddenly the door before him opened and light flooded out, but it was unable to laminate his cloak hidden face. A dumpy looking woman who looked the same size at no matter which direction you looked as well as having what looked to be a bathing cap with mousy brown curls pasted all over it stood before him. “May I help you Master Jedi?” she asked her voice melodic and friendly. “Please come in out of the rain. May I get you some tea?” “Not today thank you,” he answered his voice quiet. “I have need of your services. Your name was given to me Miss Rosem’ary as someone who could help me.” “Certainly Master Jedi, but I don’t understand. We are a children’s home and there are none here fitting the requirements fitting a Jedi. The little ones are all tested as soon as they arrive, and if any with the proper count around found the Temple id immediately contacted.” “Yes ma’am, but this is a different circumstance.” With one hand he pulled down his cowl and opened his cloak to show her the small bundle in his other arm that was now sleeping contently. “What an angel!” she whispered animatedly. He started to agree with her, but as he looked down at the still sleeping child he could have sworn two curls had curled into the shape of devil horns. “She will be quite happy here Master Jedi, I assure you. I can certainly see her being chosen into a family quite easily.” “That is something I must talk with you about. She is not to be adopted into a family. I cannot allow it. There are those looking for her and they cannot be allowed to find her or know that it was I that brought her here. If they found her… Her life would surely be in danger. All because of me. To destroy me they will use her.” Rosem’ary realized something as she looked up at the tall Jedi. “She’s yours isn’t she?” “Yes, and though I may not want to do this, it is something I must do.” The round woman reached over and began to take the bundle out of his arms feeling that if she didn’t do something he could continue standing there for eternity holding the child. “We will take excellent care of her Master Jedi, and you are always welcome to visit her whenever you have the chance. We will keep her safe,” she felt as if she had to stress that this child would be well taken care of. “May I ask her name?” “Certainly. It’s Re-“ He stopped quickly realizing by using her name given to her by her mother would make it all that much easier for her to be found, but what could he change it to? It would be such a shame for her to lose everything about herself, but wasn’t that what Jedi did? Have a new name given to them to begin their new life. Couldn’t he at least treat her like as if she were an honorable Jedi? He had already given the woman part of Renisenb. Although he decided that she would never meet her mother unless accompanied by him he still felt the need to honor her in some way. He would combine the first two letter of each of their names. “Rela. Her name is Rela.” “Do you wish for her to have a last name, sir?” By the Force he wanted her to have his last name, but again that would make her easily found. What could he…? Quinn! How he wished he could thank Kabe for dubbing him that name at this moment. That small child he had been able to take in for a short time. “Quinn. Her name is Rela Quinn.” He looked down at her in Rosem’ary’s arms and fought the urge to snatch her back and run. Instead he looked the woman in the face. “May I hold her one last time?” “You have that right Master Jedi, “she smiled as she handed the now waking bundle back to him. Taking her in his arms he moved a few steps away. “You will be safe here. Maybe not as happy as I would want you to be, but safe will do for now. I will always be here for you Small One. You are Rela Quinn now, but in my heart you will always be my little Renisenb. Always know that I love you, even if I am never allowed to say it again.” He gave her a fatherly kiss on her forehead before walking back and handing her over to the short Rosem’ary. He would give his Small One credit that she never cried, but he could see something akin to hurt in her eyes. He knew that was one memory he would never forget nor allow himself to forget. He gave them both a reserved bow then turned and as he raised his cowl back over his head made his way out the door and back into the rain. As the rain fell onto his face masking the tears and mixing them together in his beard the Jedi mantra went over and over through his head as he walked away. There is no emotion, there is peace. Now if he could just convince his breaking heart. |
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| The Ultimate Sacrifice by Mouse |