Coruscant's sky lanes glowed gold under the morning sun as the cruiser descended toward the Jedi Temple. Kaelen stood by the viewport, hands clasped behind him, Bastila's dormant holocron resting securely in a padded case strapped to his belt.
Obi-Wan watched him carefully. "Whatever happens today… let them speak first. Don't volunteer information unless asked."
Kaelen nodded. "I understand."
HK-47 clanked up behind them.
"Encouraging Remark: If the Jedi attempt to confiscate me, Master, I will resist with moderate enthusiasm."
Obi-Wan groaned. "No resisting. No enthusiasm. No anything."
HK's photoreceptors glowed in what Kaelen had learned to interpret as smug amusement.
"Statement: Your denial of violence is noted and ignored, obsolete Jedi unit."
Obi-Wan spun toward him. "Obsolete—?!"
"HK," Kaelen said firmly. "Enough."
The droid went utterly still.
"Immediate Compliance: Shutting up."
Obi-Wan exhaled, shoulders dropping. "Thank the Force one of us can control him."
The Council Chamber
The high double doors slid open, revealing the grand circular chamber bathed in sunlight. Some seats were occupied physically — Yoda, Mace Windu, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and Shaak Ti. Others shimmered with blue holograms: Plo Koon, Kit Fisto, Luminara Unduli, Adi Gallia.
The room fell silent as Kaelen, Obi-Wan, and HK approached the center.
"Master Kenobi," Windu said, voice firm but steady. "You requested an urgent audience."
Obi-Wan bowed. "Yes, Master Windu. We discovered something on Dantooine that requires immediate attention."
Windu's eyes drifted to Kaelen. "Padawan Shan. Step forward."
Kaelen bowed and did so.
Yoda's ears perked. "Trouble, I sense. Heavy your steps are."
Kaelen glanced at Obi-Wan.
With a nod from his Master, he removed the case from his belt, opening it to reveal the holocron. The room grew still.
Ki-Adi-Mundi leaned forward, curious. "A holocron… but not Jedi."
Shaak Ti studied the engravings. "Nor Sith."
Windu eyed it suspiciously. "Where did you find this?"
Obi-Wan answered. "Buried beneath the ruins of the old Enclave. The sub-levels were hidden and unstable. We barely escaped."
Plo Koon's hologram crackled. "That Enclave has been abandoned for centuries. What business would such an artifact have there?"
Kaelen inhaled slowly.
"It was waiting," he said quietly. "For someone with… my bloodline."
A hush swept the chamber.
Luminara Unduli frowned. "Your bloodline? Meaning what, Padawan?"
Kaelen's throat tightened. He didn't reveal the lineage — the holocron had not said it aloud. Neither would he.
"It only reacts to me," he said. "And it… awakened."
Obi-Wan cleared his throat politely. "Accidentally."
Kaelen winced.
Yoda tapped his cane. "Show us, you will."
Kaelen stepped into the center of the room and lifted the holocron.
Golden lines illuminated across its surface.
The panels opened.
A calm, poised hologram of Bastila appeared above it — posture perfect, expression serene, voice formal and measured.
"Greetings, Jedi Council."
There was no sign of the warm, personal tone she used with Kaelen.
No recognition of lineage.No depth of emotion.
Only protocol.
Shaak Ti whispered, "Incredible."
Ki-Adi-Mundi stroked his beard. "She speaks as though this message were intended for the Order."
Windu remained stony. "Identify yourself."
"I am Bastila Shan," the hologram replied."This recording responds only to the presence of my descendants. No unauthorized access will be granted."
Several Council members exchanged concerned glances.
Obi-Wan murmured, "That explains why it responded to Kaelen."
Kaelen felt Bastila's holographic gaze pass over him — perfectly neutral before the Council's eyes.
Yet beneath it, he felt a subtle warmth.A flicker of recognition.
A secret only he could sense.
Windu turned sharply to him. "Did you activate this, Padawan?"
Kaelen swallowed. "Not intentionally, Master. I cut myself and… a drop of blood fell on it."
Plo Koon nodded slowly. "Bloodline lock. A rare but effective security measure."
Yoda hummed. "Powerful she was. Wise, her defenses."
Windu's gaze hardened. "What does this holocron contain?"
Obi-Wan answered first. "We're not entirely sure. But Kaelen believes it pertains to… a Force technique."
Windu frowned. "What technique?"
Kaelen inhaled.
"Battle Meditation."
A heavy silence fell.
Kit Fisto's hologram flickered. "That technique has been lost for millennia."
Shaak Ti folded her hands. "And dangerous in the wrong hands."
Yoda's expression darkened. "Powerful. Tempting. And easily corrupted."
Kaelen lowered his head. "I understand. That's why I want guidance."
Obi-Wan placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "He did not seek this power. It sought him."
Windu regarded Kaelen with his piercing stare. "The Council will decide whether you should pursue this knowledge."
HK-47 then stepped forward.
Uninvited.
"Correction: Decision unnecessary. Master is pre-designated for this knowledge by his genetic heritage."
Every Council member froze.
Adi Gallia narrowed her eyes. "Who is this droid?"
HK straightened proudly.
"Designation: HK-47. Role: Advisor, bodyguard, and efficient eliminator of undesirable organics."
Windu's face darkened. "Eliminator?"
Shaak Ti's tone sharpened. "This droid is dangerous."
HK responded cheerfully:
"Clarification: Only to you."
The Council erupted with disapproving murmurs.
Ki-Adi-Mundi stood. "That is unacceptable!"
Luminara snapped, "Control your droid!"
Yoda, however, chuckled.
A tiny, amused rumble.
"Funny, he is," Yoda said. "Rude, too."
HK bowed toward Yoda.
"Polite Greeting: You I do not mind. You at least understand humor."
Windu nearly combusted.
"Kenobi," he said through clenched teeth, "why is this droid here?"
Obi-Wan raised both hands defensively. "Trust me, Masters, he was my objection as well."
HK pointed at him.
"Retort: Jedi unit Kenobi is jealous of my superior metal endoskeleton."
Gasps filled the room.
Obi-Wan's jaw dropped. "I am—what—?!"
"HK," Kaelen said firmly.
The droid froze.
"Immediate Obedience: Shutting up, Master."
The Council stared in shock.
Windu exhaled slowly. "So he follows only your commands."
Kaelen nodded. "Yes, Master."
Yoda's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"A bond you share. Deep, it runs."
Obi-Wan bowed his head. "That bond may be useful… or dangerous."
Windu gestured to the holocron. "We will need time to deliberate. Kaelen Shan — you will remain on Coruscant. No further interaction with the holocron without supervision."
Kaelen bowed. "Yes, Master."
Yoda's gaze softened.
"For now… safe, you are. But the path ahead, clouded."He tapped his cane.
"Prepare, you must."
Bastila's hologram dimmed and folded back into the holocron.
The chamber lights brightened.
The session was over.
As Kaelen turned to leave, something whispered in the Force.
A warm voice — familiar, gentle — speaking only to him.
"We will continue soon."
Kaelen stiffened.
Obi-Wan noticed. "You all right?"
Kaelen swallowed.
"Yes, Master."
But deep inside, he knew:
Bastila wasn't done with him.
Not even close.