Only Wan

Episode XVII

KOLLEN

The first thing Kollen did upon hearing of Anakin Skywalker's call was contact his former padawan. Or rather, tried to contact her. Brye refused to answer all communication attempts to her ship. He knew that each of his messages had made it through, and he struggled to remain calm upon realising he was being ignored.

Had he trained her so badly she was ignorant?

Tugging on his cloak, Kollen did his best not to think about it. Brye had not been a troublesome student - aside from when it came to flying. He had to place his trust in her and in his training.

Then why did he turned in the hallway? Why did he divert his course?

Kollen let out a sigh and stopped himself. Skywalker had gotten into trouble, that was not unusual. Even Obi-Wan would admit such. But this time it felt different and Kollen refused to admit it was because Brye was somehow entangled in the mess.

A passing Jedi nodded to him as Kollen swiftly headed to the Council chamber. If he was lucky, Obi-Wan would have reported how things were. If Kollen was not lucky, he would need a day of mediation.

Rounding the corner, he came face to face with Master Windu and Yoda, the pair of them locked in conversation. Kollen quickly inclined his head to them and stepped back, politely giving them the option to keep walking.

Mace, however, locked eyes with Kollen. "Obi-Wan and Brye have reached Geonosis. We have no further information other than that they believed they were on the clone's trail."

"The distress call from Anakin," Kollen started. He had only seen a brief rewind of the message thanks to Qui-Gon, but he had seen enough to know things didn't look good. Geonosis was not the most welcoming of places.

"See to it, we will. A hard choice, the Council has been forced to make." Yoda clasped his small hands together. "Return to Qui-Gon and the clones. To the landing bay, bring them."

Taking the clones anywhere did not sit well with Kollen, but he nodded and agreed, leaving the pair quickly. Something about the clones unnerved him, and it bother Kollen he couldn't piece together what it was.

It was not surprising to find Qui-Gon on his knees meditating, seemly lost to the outside world. Kollen knew better than to presume he was not aware of his arrival and made sure he didn't flatter when Qui-Gon spoke before opening his eyes.

"You don't look well, Kollen," Qui-Gon said softly. "Tell me what is on your mind."

"I have a bad feeling about all of this," Kollen said. During his walk through the temple, he had reminded himself that Byre was a Jed Knight now, no longer his padawan, but he still couldn't shake the idea that he should have been with her.

"I don't sense anything." Qui-Gon stood gracefully, his full height allowing him to look down at Kollen. "The Council have a request about the clones?"

"Master Yoda would like to see them in the landing bay."

"Obi-Wan requested we keep the clones here."

Kollen hesitated. He had surely misinterpreted Qui-Gon. The Council's desires were not to be compared with Obi-Wan's. If Mace and Yoda had come to a decision regarding the clones, it would be their word which was followed. Obi-Wan himself would agree with that point.

"If you would help me escort them," Kollen said. He moved to open the door and Qui-Gon  positioned himself so he was blocking the exit.

As soon as the room was unlocked, Kollen was falling backward. The first of the clones he had met tackled him to the ground. Kollen used his elbow to put space between the clone atop him, then wrestled the clone off.