Knight of the Old Republic Episode II: Redemption

Knights of the Old Republic: Episode II

 

Ahmose Inarus

 

Disclaimer:  I do NOT own Criminal Minds, and I most certainly do NOT own Star Wars.

 

SLASH WARNING!!!  H/R

 

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Chapter 17

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PLANET: CORUSCANT

 

LOCATION:  CHAMBER OF THE HIGH COUNCIL OF THE JEDI ORDER

 

TIME:  MORNING

 

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Spencer Reid stood before the High Council, looking around at each and every one of them.  Then he fell to his knees. 

 

“Masters.”  He said.  “Words cannot say how…  glad I am to be here before you once again.  I am so…  SO sorry.  If it weren’t for my blatant disobedience, none of this would have ever happened.  I did not listen to your wisdom.  I was reckless, and impulsive and I defied your orders.  Never will I do so again.”

 

After a moment of stunned silence, Eesa K’Tal asked, “What are you talking about?”  She was smiling, and was obviously pleased with Spencer’s return.  The council couldn’t remember the last time she had looked this happy.

 

“Back on Cilpar.”  Reid explained.  “We…  We wanted to go after Darth Dualath.  You told us not to…  you told us to return to Coruscant.  I didn’t listen.  I stole Master Syr’s ship, and Aaron and I went after the Sith.  That’s how we were caught.  And that’s how I…”  He trailed off.  “I am so sorry.  I will never defy the Council again.”

 

“Yes you will.”  Master Virr chuckled.  Reid gave the Seer a distressed look, and then his eyes widened and fear filled him.  There…  Darth Livion stood there, leaning indolently against the wall, giving him a smug grin.  Reid blinked, and Livion was gone.

 

“Don’t scare the boy, Tarash.”  Chuckled Master Syr.

 

“Master Kao…”  Reid murmured, turning to the female Nautolan with overwhelming guilt.  “I…  I am so sorry…  I…”

 

“Don’t be.”  She said, rising from her chair and walking over, kneeling and putting her arms around him.  His grief and regret could be felt by all of the Masters.  Reid turned and wept on Master Kao’s shoulder.  “I am so sorry…”  He sobbed.

 

“You did what you were meant to do.  She was destined to die by your hand.”  Master Kao told him, gently.  “She foresaw her death and accepted it years ago.”

 

“…  She knew?”  Reid asked.  “When she challenged us, she knew that I would kill her?!”

 

“I don’t know.”  Master Kao said.  “She foresaw that her death would lead to the redemption of one who had Fallen.  Her death would get this fallen one to turn to a beacon of hope.  It would return to the light, and bring others with it.”

 

“…  Dualath.”  Reid breathed, and Master Kao nodded.

 

“Yes.”

 

“…  Now it makes sense.”  Reid whispered.

 

“What do you mean?”  Master Kao asked him.  He sniffled and sat back, rubbing his eyes.

 

“What she said to me.  Before she died.”  He explained.  “I’ll never forget it.  She said, ‘You are still a Jedi.  Finish what you’ve started.  Hold on.  You haven’t lost yourself…  don’t give up.”  Reid closed his eyes, as did Master Kao as she heard her Padawan’s last words.

 

“She told me to do it.  She said, ‘It’s okay.  Do what you need to do.  With me, AND with the Sith.  It’s worth it.  To bring one of our own back to the Order.  Do it.’  And…  I…  I did.”  Reid choked.  “And I held her and she said ‘Do what you must.  Don’t give up.  I give my life willingly, as I was destined to.’  And I asked her what she meant and she said that…  you would tell me when the time was right.”

 

“She was glad to die for you, and for the others that you would liberate from the Dark Side.”  Reid stared at Master Kao, and then fell apart into broken sobs.  The Masters were silent and patient, knowing that this was the first chance he’d had to truly mourn for the death of Aliki Naas.  And they allowed themselves to grieve as well, both with him, and FOR him.

 

Finally, when he had calmed, the Council prepared for the next stage of business.

 

“Padawan.”  Called Master Syr.  The boy looked up at him.  “Where did the Sith take you after the battle at Vjun?”

 

“I was taken to Korriban.”  Reid said.  “They repaired my knee and declared me Darth Livion.  And then they…”

 

“They brainwashed you through torture.”  The Cathar Master nodded, and Reid nodded back.  “When you were not on a mission from your master, where did you stay?”

 

“I had an apartment on Carosi, across the street from the Devil’s Dome, so that I could…  watch its reconstruction.”  Master Syr frowned slightly.

 

“Do you know the locations of other Sith strongholds?”

 

“…  Nocturn has a fortress on Dagobah.  The Reaper has an apartment on Nar Shaada and an estate on Nal Hutta.  There is a stronghold on Byss, and Cenar has a fortress on Vjun.  Sassin was looking at possibly obtaining her own base on Malachor V.  But there are Sith outposts on hundreds of words throughout the galaxy.  I do not know where all of them are.  As one of the Sith Lords, I never knew such…  menial things.  All I knew was the will of my master.  And if fulfilling that required me to contact one of the outposts, I did so.”

 

“And what were your missions?”  Master Syr asked.

 

“…  I seemed to be a high level enforcer.”

 

“An enforcer?”

 

“Master sent Dualath and myself to allies who had betrayed us, or were backing out of agreements.”

 

“And what did you do?”

 

“We…  killed them.  No one backed out on the Sith and lived.”  Reid confessed.  “The latest was Miroon Shala of Ryloth.  That’s when Aliki…”  and he trailed off for a moment.  “We were also sent on assassinations, like the Telosian Senator.”  Reid continued.  “And…  the Senator from Bakura about a year ago.”

 

“What?”  Blurted Master Ryan.

 

“That was declared an accident.”  Strauss said, frowning.

 

“We were instructed to make it look as such.”  Reid said, softly.

 

“…  We need to know where Sith Outposts are.”  Master Syr said, suddenly.

 

“…  Bring me a map.”  Reid said.  “I will show you as many as I can.”  And within ten minutes, a holosphere of the Republic had been delivered, and the room was now a 3d map of the galaxy.  Reid stood in the middle of the room, looking around and getting his bearings.

 

“Open new file.”  He spoke, and a little trill let him know that it had been done.  “Label Sith Outpost Locations.”  Another trill.  He turned and reached out, and tapped a planet as it moved past him.  A little trill let him know that it had been added to the file.  He then turned and began to move through the room, touching planets everywhere he went with both hands.  Every now and then he would say something like “Flag as fortress” or “Flag as Sith Academy” or “Flag as Sith Lord Stronghold.”  Soon, two hundred seventy nine planets had been added to the file.  Reid stood in the middle of the room, looking around.  Then he sighed.

 

“This is only a fraction of them.”  He said.  “But they are all I know.  I’m sorry.  Not even Darth Reaper would be able to recall them all.  And not all of them are completely associated with Darth Reaper.  Some are outposts that each individual Sith Lord under the Reaper founded…  some were founded by Dark Jedi down low on the ranks.  It’s not the most…  organized group.  Some of these are nothing more than…  cantinas that the Dark Jedi frequent when they pass through, but…”  And he trailed off and shrugged.  A moment later, the lights came on and the holosphere floated into the outstretched paw of Raahn Syr. 

 

“I will share this information with the Council of First Knowledge and the Shadows.”  He said, and Reid nodded before settling down on the floor on his knees again.

 

“Is there anything else that you wish to know?”  Reid asked.  “I will answer whatever I can.”

 

“I had a question for you.”  Kitata Ree announced.

 

“Yes, Master?”

 

“Am I correct in the assumption that you have learned…  techniques usually reserved for the Dark Side?”

 

“…  Yes, Master.”  Reid said, softly.  “Though…  I don’t know if I can still use them…  when I Fell to the Dark Side…  my power decreased dramatically.  I lost touch with the Force.  I was like a new Initiate…  I could count on one hand the number of times I was able to use the Lightning.  And it was all within the past month.”

 

“Master Virr has informed us that you can create a Force Storm.”  Bre Mong said.

 

“…  The Reaper had us all train to do it together.”  Reid said, nodding.  “Dualath, Cenar, Sassin and I were able to do it with only the four of us…  But it was best when we had Trion and Rashio with us…  but not Nocturn…  with him…  it got a little…  out of control.”

 

“You told me that you created one on your own.”  Tarash Virr said.  Reid looked at him, then sighed.

 

“Yes.  I’ve done it twice.  Once it was out of…  rage.  I didn’t know I was doing it…  I’d lost control.”

“And the second?”  Kitata Ree asked.

 

“…  I created one to cover our escape on Carosi…  when they came to bring me home.”

 

“This was intentional?”

 

“Yes, Master.”  Reid nodded.

 

“How powerful was it?”

 

“Not very, Master.”  Reid said.  “I think I saw a few Dark Jedi knocked off of their feet, but it was more distraction.  I had to concentrate on running, not strengthening it.  And as I had never created one on purpose before, I didn’t want to lose control.  Honestly, it was more Force Lightning and Whirlwind than a Force Storm…”

 

“Good to hear,” Strauss nodded.

 

“…  They taught me the Life Drain.”  Reid said, and the Council listened in silence.  “They tried to teach me to Dominate the Mind, but…  I wasn’t very good at it.”  He smiled in shadow of amusement.  “Darth Sassin…  Elle…  she taught me her Force Scream…”  then he made a face.  “I don’t like it…  it’s…  harsh.  There’s no elegance to it…  That and uh…  it’s just too loud.  It hurts my ears.”

 

Chuckles went around the Council Chamber at that.

 

“They taught me the Suppression and Breach techniques.”  Reid said.  “Though I have hardly mastered them.  Cenar tried to teach me Force Body…”

 

“Only a fool does that…”  Master Sa’Eeya’Da snorted.

 

“Darth Cenar taught me the Crucitorn.”

 

“…  Crucitorn?  What is that?”  Asked Gideon.

 

“…  I…  I can make a wound…  hurt more…  I can intensify the pain of an injury.  It’s one of…  Cenar’s favorite things…  He also taught me Combustion.”

 

“Is that what I think it is?”  Asked Master Virr.

 

“…  I can make things explode.”  Reid mumbled.

 

“What kinds of things?”  Asked Master Ryan.

 

“Little things.  I didn’t develop it much…  Cenar made a…  a person explode, once…”  Reid paled and gulped.

 

“And?”  Asked Raahn Syr.

 

“…  I threw up.”

 

More chuckles.

 

“Fortunately…  it’s not easy to do.  Cenar was…  drained afterwards…  and that’s not a power that I want to have.  I have learned to use the Force Telekinesis to levitate, and Dualath taught me a little bit of Pyrokinesis…  And she also helped me improve my Mind Trick and showed me how to adapt my Lightning into a Kinetite…  And though I’ve never actually done it myself, I believe I could if I tried.” 

 

He looked up at the Council, as if awaiting them to come down on him harshly for learning these things.

 

“We shall have to discuss these things you have learned.”  Kitata Ree said, and Reid nodded.

 

“I understand, Master.  What is it you wish me to do in the meantime?”

 

“Meditate, Padawan.  On your Fall.  You are excused.”

 

“…  Yes, Master.”  Reid stood, bowed, and left the room.  Hotch was waiting for him.

 

“How did it go?”  He asked.

 

“I am to meditate while they…  discuss things.”  Reid said, and Hotch fell in to walk by his side.

 

“What things?”

 

“I left them with a lot of things to think about.”  Reid said.  “What I did while with the Sith, what they taught me, and what I know of their operations.”

 

“I see.”  Hotch said, and accompanied Reid to his favorite place to meditate; the room of a Thousand Fountains.

 

This was located at the northwestern base of the Jedi Temple.  It was a massive greenhouse seven stories tall, filled with exotic flora with flowing streams and waterfalls.  Unlike any other place on the massive City-Planet of Coruscant, it was a peaceful retreat for the members of the Jedi Order.

 

Finally, they reached it.  They pushed open the large wooden doors, assisted by the Force, and walked down a short passage, emerging onto a platform overlooking the place.  Little paths made their ways down from the platform and into the indoor jungle where water could be heard flowing in every direction, accompanying the roar of the central waterfall.

 

Reid lifted his face to the ceiling, which was made to look like a clear blue sky with a few wisps of clouds passing by.  He sucked in a deep breath, savoring the thick flavors of the flowers and fresh water on the air.

 

“I missed this place.”  He said, and Hotch smiled.  The pair picked a stone path to their side and made their way down into the depths of the Room of a Thousand Fountains, and Reid chose a little place hidden behind a large flowering bush by a little stream.  He sat on the ground and closed his eyes, laying his hands on his knees.  Hotch sat across from him and did the same.  As one, the pair took a deep breath, and opened themselves to the Force…  and to each other.  Reid let out a soft, moaning sigh, obviously quite pleased at being able to do this.

 

I missed you…  His voice seemed to whisper on the wind.  And then he focused on his Fall.  And he was not afraid, because Hotch stood by his side through it all…  he witnessed his torture, both emotional and physical.  He relived Reid’s darkest moments, and the occasions when he seemed to come back to himself, if only for a short while.  He watched as Amanda kissed Reid that first time, and he felt the confusion within the youth…  The longing for love and affection, and the guilt that he could not fulfill those for Amanda…  for while he did care for her, he was still in love with Aaron…

 

Hotch offered comfort, easing the guilt in his lover’s soul…

 

Reid had truly and sincerely loved Darth Dualath, but he never could have been her lover…  he could not offer her THAT kind of love…  but he knew it was what she had hoped for, and it saddened him that he could not give her that happiness…

 

You did the right thing.  And she is gone, yes…  but remember how she went…  do you?  Hotch asked.

 

…  Yes.  She was smiling.  They were BOTH smiling.

 

Then do not feel guilt.  How many of us are lucky enough to go like that?  With a smile, in the arms of the one we love…

 

Aaron…

 

I wouldn’t mind going like that.

 

Don’t you even speak of it!  Reid gasped, almost jerking out of his mediation, so great was his distress.  …  I can’t lose you.

 

It’s okay.  Hotch smiled, knowing that now was not the time to be realistic, but supportive.  We have our Bond.  We will always be together.  And they grew quiet again. 

 

It was just over three hour later that Kitata Ree, Eesa K’Tal, Tarash Virr and Jason Gideon found them.  And rather than interrupt their meditation, they joined them.  It was nearing dinner time before they finally came out of it, and they all came out of it together.

 

“Your Bond has gotten stronger.”  Eesa K’Tal said in her lyrical voice.

 

“It began to repair itself after Aliki’s death.”  Hotch said.  “I believe it was Spencer’s…  extreme distress…  he reached out for…  something to hold on to…  to comfort himself with.  And…  he reached me.”

 

“That makes sense.”  Master Virr nodded, then stood.  He offered his hand to Reid, and the boy took it, allowing the Miraluka to help him to his feet.

 

“The Council has discussed matters thoroughly.”  Master Kitata Ree said.  “And you have been cleared.  You are a Padawan of the Jedi Order once more.  And Jason Gideon is still your Master, if you will have him.”  Reid blinked, then turned and looked at the man.

 

“…  Master.”  He gasped, and Gideon offered him a wavery smile.  A moment later, the pair had thrown their arms around one another and clung tightly.  “I am so sorry, Master…  I failed you.”

 

“You have turned you back on the Dark Side, Spencer.”  Gideon said, stepping back and regarding his apprentice.  “I couldn’t be more proud of you.”  Reid blinked, then grinned.

 

“Aaron.”  Kitata Ree said, and Hotch dropped to kneel before the Grand Master at his eye level.  “We understand that you freed him of the bonds of Darth Livion with your Bond. Well done.”

 

“Thank you, Master.”

 

“Come.  It is time to eat.”  Kitata Ree said, and the group made their way up to the fining hall.  Dinner was almost over, and so rather than joining the members of the High Council who were just finishing their meal, Kitata Ree, Tarash Virr and Eesa K’Tal sat with Hotch and Reid, who immediately fell into conversation with Gideon.  Hotch and Gideon were filling Reid in on everything that had happened with the Jedi order and the team while he had been away, such as explaining Seaver.

 

Reid seemed amused that Rossi had taken another Padawan.    But as the conversation progressed, it became less talk about what had been, and more of that which may be.  They discussed the Sith…  Reid gave them much insight on what Darth Reaper’s goals may be, though he was not privy to all the details…  He gave them information on small operations that were taking place all over the galaxy and projects that he was aware of.

 

And then came the final shock of the day.

 

“You are on probation.”  Kitata Ree said, and Reid nodded his understanding.  “While we will be required to send your team out on missions, you are to remain within the Temple at all times.”  Reid sighed.  He was disappointed, but not surprised.  “Here, you will be working with the Jedi Shadows.”  Reid stopped and stared at the Grand Master.

 

“…  The Shadows?”  He asked, as if he wasn’t sure he had heard the tiny Master correctly.  He looked nervous at the prospect of working with those who specialized in hunting Dark Jedi and the Sith.

 

“Who better to teach them than a former Sith Lord?”  Master Virr said.  “Your insight could prove invaluable.  You will work with the Shadows, and teach them what you know of the Dark Side.”

 

“…  I…  I’m not sure.”  Reid said, nervously.  “Wouldn’t it be better to…  Distance myself from the Dark Side?”

 

“Normally, that is what we teach.”  Eesa K’Tal nodded.  “However, you have known the Dark Side intimately.  You can tell the Shadows things that no one else can.  And the Shadows do not have the luxury of distancing themselves from the Dark Side.  They walk a fine line, pursuing and learning, but not Falling.  Your teachings could be what tips the scale for some of them in our favor.”  Reid nodded, silently. 

 

“And consider it a test of your strength, wisdom and loyalty.”  Kitata Ree said, finishing his drink.  Reid gulped slightly.

 

“…  Yes Master.”

 

“Good.  You will convene with Master Raahn Syr first thing after breakfast.” 

 

“Yes, Master.”

 

“Now go.  Rest.”

 

“Thank you, Master.  Good evening.”  Reid said, standing and bowing as Kitata Ree left the dining hall.

 

“You will do fine.”  Eesa K’Tal said, before striding after the tiny Grand Master.  Reid watched her go with a sigh, then looked at Tarash Virr.

 

“I have every faith in you, little brother.”  He said, with a smile.

 

“Thanks, Tarash.”  Reid said softly.  Tarash smiled at Hotch, and then followed the other Master.

 

“Come.”  Hotch said gently, and Reid followed the man back to his room.  Once the door was closed, Reid gasped and threw his arms around the man’s neck.  Hotch blinked, startled at his lover’s sudden surge of emotions, and the trembling in his body.

 

“Spencer?  Are you okay?  What’s wrong?”  and he gently stroked up and down the thin back.

 

“They…  they’re going to separate us?  So soon?!”  He gasped, sounding almost frightened.

 

“It’s okay, Spencer…  Don’t be afraid…”

 

“I want to stay with you!”  Reid cried out into the silent room.

 

“I know, baby…”  Hotch murmured.  “I know…  come on now…  let’s get some sleep.”

 

Hotch allowed Reid to bathe first…  And Reid did so.  But while Hotch was bathing, Reid looked up and gasped.  Darth Livion was standing in the corner, staring at him.

 

“W-What…  you…  you…”  Reid gasped.  Livion just smirked.  Reid closed his eyes and shook his head.  When he looked again, the Sith Lord was gone…  Shaking, Reid removed another vial of the Vi’Tani Nectar and drank it down.  By the time Hotch emerged from his bathing, it had taken affect.  Reid was warm and mellow, his fearful trembling abating.  He smiled at Hotch now, and Hotch guided Reid over to his bed, guiding the boy into laying down beside him.  He tucked the blankets around him and smiled, gently brushing his fingers through strands of hair that seemed lighter in color compared to a few days ago.

 

“Don’t be afraid…”  He whispered.  “We have our Bond back.  We are ALWAYS together.  And Master Noria and Ralko said that they would help us strengthen it so that it cannot be severed again.”

 

“Really?”  Reid asked.

 

“Yes.”  Hotch said with a smile.  After a moment, Reid gave him a little smile in return.  “There we go…  feel better?”

 

“Yes…  I think so.”

 

“Good.  Think you can sleep now?”

 

“…  Hold me?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Then I can sleep.”

 

“Good…”

 

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Force Supression/Breach – remove/destroy any Force enhancements from your opponent

 

Force Body - allowed any Force Sensitive to push their body's endurance past a safe limit, ignoring and possibly sacrificing their health and well-being, in order to sustain their connection to the Force.