Old Friends Homecoming

Chapter 1 - Face the Music

It was nightfall when the gunship landed in front of the Jedi temple. Emi Takori emerged from the ship silently and her heart racing. I should have never come back here. I should have told Plo that I wanted to stay and help his people in the aftermath. But, somebody will have to know what happened on Dorin, she thought.

Emi was not the type of Jedi that would usually return from a mission to report her success with enthusiasm. Over the past several years, the council's mistrust of her, made this the part she always dreaded in the post-assignment hours. It has only been several hours since she returned to Coruscant on the Venator from Dorin. The travel between those two planets through lightspeed sped up the process, but to Emi it felt like eons.

When the ships departed Dorin after she shared one last embrace with Plo Koon, sealing their love; she had a spark of confidence in her. But, once off the planet, those feelings diminished. She had retreated to the same bed she lay before, gazing at the gray ceiling realizing that there was still the matter of the council. She had been gone long enough for them to realize she was missing; especially Saesee Tiin the one who continued to be the most subjective to point out her flaws despite how reclusive he had grown up in the order. I hope he went off on his own mission, I just can't imagine what he'll say. Sometimes, I wish that assignment at Mygeeto with him never happened. She thought as she slowly climbed the stairs clutching the silver Jedi emblem around her neck.

The wide doors opened and she entered the temple. It was dark and quiet and the floor looked almost violet with the sun not shining through to light up the red and blues. Every pillar and every statue seemed to have faces that were watching her. To her left she saw Plo Koon and his wolfpack, and to her right were Luminara Unduli her former master, Saesee Tiin, and even General Grievous who no doubt would plan something after his failure on Dorin. Emi kept walking ignoring the visions, and prayed that no one would see her at this hour. She had no idea where she was going and thought of the possibilities: She could take a speeder back to her apartment where no one would find her, she could go to the quarters she was given in the temple despite how small it was, or face the music like she was meant to.

After stopping in her tracks to collect her thoughts, Emi realized the best thing to do, was to get the worst over with, and then she headed towards the elevator that led up to the council chambers.

The ascension felt slow like the tower was taller than it usually was at night. Emi stared blankly at the door breathing deeply. They were about to throw a lot of fire at her once again, only this time she did not have anyone to back her up. For years her master had done so and only recently did Plo Koon fill in for that position. It was time for her to be able to defend herself on her own. She covered a yawn and remembered that she had no rest on the voyage back, and figured she would not be getting any sleep depending on how badly this was about to go.

Soon, the time she thought would never come, had arrived once the elevator halted at the top of the tower. Emi exited and entered the council chamber. The city night lights shimmered through the windows of the short corridor and the doors loomed. She did not stop to catch her breath and entered quickly. To her surprise the room was not entirely full but a few of the masters were still there making small conversation. She stood by the corner out of their sight.

Mace Windu, Yoda, Saesee Tiin, and Ki-Adi-Mundi were speaking quietly about something Emi did not now. She sighed and quietly entered the chamber. All at once, the chatter silenced completely as they turned their heads towards her. Saesee Tiin immediately turned stern but Emi ignored him. She walked into the central red circle on the floor and descended onto her knees parallel to Mace Windu.

"Forgive my intrusion Masters and my absence," She said, trying to stay as calm as possible knowing what was coming.

"At Dorin you were, young Emi," Yoda answered,

"Yes Master Yoda, I can explain," she rose to her feet,

"You'd better!" Saesee Tiin snapped,

"I didn't sneak onto that mission. Master Plo wanted me to come because he believed my knowledge of the enemy would be an advantage. He even came to me personally requesting that I accompany him. You still have your doubts, I understand that. I know it takes a while for you to realize I'm trying to change because this isn't something that happens fast. You Master Yoda, I understand you didn't want me to come because you felt that I could only truly learn if I spent my time doing something else away from the battlefield. Master Tiin, you believe I'm not fit just because of what's happened in the past, but hear me out, all of you. We stopped General Grievous and Asajj Ventress on Dorin. Ventress was abducting Kel Dorian men to mine for the mineral under Grievous's supervision. They were planning to use it to create another ion cannon like the warship Malevolence had. I rescued the hostages and that was my one and only priority. Master Plo's people are grateful, even the Baran Do elders. If you don't believe me, just ask them." Emi explained with a peak of confidence

Mace Windu and Yoda exchanged glances, Ki-Adi-Mundi stroked his beard in thought, and Saesee Tiin crossed his arms with his face still grim.

"So the assassin was there too, their scheme was more organized than I thought," Mace Windu said,

"Smart the Separatists are, alliances they must make," Yoda added,

"Well, you won't have to worry about that again Master Yoda, because how things ended it is clear those two will not team up again," Emi informed him,

Saesee Tiin spoke this time, "And, I suppose you engaged the General?"

Emi turned to him suspecting that question was coming her way. She had not forgotten that duel with him on Dorin as the storm hit. But, it was better to be honest than to lie.

"Yes Master Tiin, but it was to protect the Kel Dorians, not for the sake of rematch. I was actually hoping to get the hostages out of the mine without him noticing my presence. But, as we loaded them safely on the transport, he discovered me and initiated pursuit alone. He hit our cargo knocking me off. I told the clones to continue with the hostages to the rendezvous point without me so I could stall Grievous. But luckily, he wanted me, not them. I kept him busy long enough to get those people to safety. If he killed me, then I would have died for Master Plo's people knowing they would be in my debt."

Saesee Tiin slumped backwards in his seat upon hearing Emi's story and grumbled in response looking down briefly before speaking again.

"Ah, well done putting others before yourself young Emi, perhaps you are improving after all. But, never forget you still have much to learn. Do you have any idea what the risks were having your troops leave you to engage the General alone?"

Wow, you have the guts to say that but you still doubt me, nice. I know the risks, but clearly you failed to see the point as to why it was necessary, I'm not a child anymore. Emi thought but instead of allowing those words to escape, she nodded in understanding.

"The rest of the council members will want to hear about this, should we forward Emi's story to them?" Ki-Adi-Mundi asked, glancing at Yoda,

"Hear, they must, but decision on young Emi's future contributions in the days to come, has already been made," Yoda replied.

Emi sighed, even though the mission was a success in her eyes there were always going to be flaws mentioned and possible consequences that were hopefully not too severe.

"From what you have told us Emi, the mission appeared to be a success in the outcome. We wish to have the rest of the council and Master Plo speak on your behalf. Only then will we know that you truly have started to change your ways," Mace Windu informed her,

"Do you need me to be there?"

"That will not be necessary, we need to hear from only who made the decision to take you with them. For now, continue your studies and other activities. If you are looking for something to do, the Archives could use some guarding in certain areas. But, we still advise you stay off the battlefield for a while, at least until we can hear from the other witnesses of what happened on Dorin,"

Saesee Tiin nodded silently and sternly in agreement.

Emi held back a shrug and lowered her head respectfully, "Understood Master, is there anything else?"

"Go, rest you may." Yoda answered,

Emi quietly left the council chamber without looking back.