Episode 7 :: Fate

Instructions

The room smelled like leather when Alera stepped into the circular area, her yellow eyes on her boots. Wide glass windows revealed the bustling city outside, but the air inside lay calm and still. Master Kenobi nodded to Master Dyarron before taking a seat in the circle of red cushioned seats, crossing his legs to prop up one foot. “Dalen Dyarron, a request you wish to make,” spoke the robed green figure across from Alera, and she snapped her eyes to him at the strange wording. “Yes, Master Yoda.” Master Dyarron placed his hand on Alera’s shoulder to guide her to the center of the room. “This Pantoran girl has a strong connection to the Force about her. You must feel it, all of you.” With all the eyes of the masters on her, Alera tensed and pushed away Master Dyarron’s hand, her nose scrunched in disgust. One master, the Cerean with the high forehead, chuckled. “She is a feisty one, Dalen.” “Indeed.” With a grunt, Alera crossed her arms. “What are you gonna do, stare at me all day until you decide to keep me?” “There is no need for that tone, child,” commanded a different master. “Ki-Adi is correct. There is a fire in you.” “I’m not a child,” Alera muttered. “And because of your order, my little brother is d3ad!” Master Yoda’s stern face remained unmoving, but Master Kenobi’s blue eyes softened, and he leaned forward. “I am sorry for your loss, Alera,” he whispered. “Do not encourage her, Kenobi,” rebuked the harsh master. “Windu, do not play off this sorrow.” Alera glanced between the two as they stared at one another, eyes full of stubbornness. “Don’t defend me,” she snapped, her voice rising with every word. “I believed in your Jedi order though my father h@ted you and your clones. I thought you could save us. But it is your fault that I am not with him.” Looking up for the first time, Master Yoda spoke, and the others grew quiet. “Angry you are, my child. Wishing to be with your brother, you are.” “I wish he was with me, you frog!” Master Windu rose from his seat while Master Kenobi covered his smile with the back of his hand. The severe man stood over her. “How dare you insult us all. Why did you bring her, Dalen? Surely, you must have known about…this.” “If you mean my anger at your order’s actions, then call it so!” Alera shouted back at him, eyes blazing. “Have you ever lost someone close to you, Master Windu, or are you just a j3rk naturally?” Master Kenobi coughed as Master Mundi shifted in his chair, eyebrows raised in amusement. “That is enough, child,” whispered Master Windu as he leaned down towards Alera. “You’ve said plenty.” Her jaw clenched, and Alera stood her ground. “Stop calling me a child.” “Dalen, take the child away.” He moved back to his seat, brushing her off with his hand. Her lips trembling, Alera clenched her hands into fists. “I said to stop!” Throwing her hands out, Alera bent to the ground, every window shattering at the command of her hands. The blast rang out in the room, the shards bouncing against the ground. In shock, the gathered masters jumped from their seats in alarm, their voices mingling while Alera knelt on the floor, tears burning in her eyes. “Ki-Adi, we cannot let Dalen train her!” Master Windu turned to his fellow Jedi, who brushed several glass shards off his robes, dark eyes full of disgust. “You pushed her too far, Windu! This could have been avoided,” interrupted Master Kenobi, but all the overlapping shouts and complaints did not reach Alera’s ears. His eyes soft, Master Dyarron crouched beside her and tilted her chin up with his hand. “Why did you bring me here?” she demanded, though her voice was empty of all the fire she had with Master Windu. Tears streaked down her cheeks, and he brushed them away. “I am sorry, Alera. Derek!” The clone commander entered, bl drawn. “Is everything alright, General? What happened?” He lowered his w3apon at the sight of the destroyed glass, the air whipping in through the jagged gaps and filling the room with a chill. “Derek, take Alera Danta away.” Nodding, the clone slipped his bl away before holding out his black gloved hand to her. Alera took it, her eyes locked on the floor while chaos ensued around them. As the pair walked through the door, she glanced over her shoulder at Master Dyarron, who nodded at her and smiled. “Wait.” In an instant, silence fell on the room as Master Yoda hobbled forward, leaning on his crutch. “Stay you must, youngling.” Master Windu stepped forward, protesting, “But–” He held up one hand. “Decided, I have. Train this Padawan, Dalen must.” Alera, shoving off Derek’s hand with a hopeful smile, bounded into the room until she stopped in front of the short master. “Are you serious, Master Yoda?” Before returning to his seat, he watched her with his dark eyes. “Need you, the order does.”