broken [1]- a Star Wars story

IV

"Strong with the force, she is. Danger, that brings."

Obi-Wan takes the lead into the Jedi Temple, the stone walls and columns towering above the three of them. Aayla begins to shake, her hands taking the brunt of it. Her nerves cascade through her body like hot lava. Never had she been this nervous.

"Aayla, you have to trust me and relax. There's nothing to be scared of." Jed tells the girl, breaking his strides with his master to match those of hers.

"I'm walking into a Temple full of Jedi. I've probably committed countless crimes on Jakku - we have probably committed countless crimes. I'm the daughter of a Jedi Knight, and that's against the rules. I think I have some reason to be a little nervous." She defends herself, with reasons all too true.

Stealing, scavenging, fighting. She'd done it all, alongside Jed. With one look, the Jedi could end her happiness and imprison her for her crimes, or even banish her from the planet and Obi-Wan, whom she'd only just met.

"Pretty sure that had they been worried about the crimes you've committed, they wouldn't have sent Obi-Wan, one of their trusted Knights, to come and collect you." Jed laughs quietly, dismissing Aayla's nerves with a wave of his hand as they enter the building. The girl goes silent.

That or they sent him to get me to dispose of me.

"What?" Jed asks, suddenly aware that he could hear Aayla's voice. She looks at him confused.

"I didn't say anything?" She whispers, Obi-Wan giving them a look as they become closer to a large room with towering doors.

"I heard you." Jed whispers back to her, placing his hands behind his back, preparing to enter the room.

"I didn't say anything -"

Her words are interrupted with the end of the corridor. Obi-Wan walks towards the doors and they open up, revealing a bright room, seats circling the middle, and a dozen or so men of different races sat among them, some holograms, from what Aayla could tell.

She freezes as all eyes fall on them.

"Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Welcome back." A mans voice calls from directly opposite the room, and Aayla finds the source. A bald man in brown robes with warm dark skin.

"Thank you, Master Windu." Obi-Wan replies with a small bow.

"Young Starkiller, safe journey, you had?" Another voice, this time peculiar, a grumbling gruffness in the tone. Aayla scans the room, and her eyes fall on a small green creature, green robes to match his tone. His species one which she had never seen before.

"Pleasant, thank you, Master Yoda." Jed replies. Starkiller. Aayla had never known his last name. It took her by surprise, but it fit the boy well.

All eyes were now on her, and she stood there silently, waiting for Obi-Wan to address her or her audience. The bald man, Master Windu by what she remembers, speaks instead.

"And let me guess, this is Aayla Kenobi?" He asks, leaning further back into his seat, which seemed almost impossible at the rate he was already inclined.

"Yes. As per your request, Master Yoda." Obi-Wan addresses both the men. The rest of the Jedi survey the scene in front of them, Aayla could feel their disapproval for her being, but she could also sense their curiosity.