Hyperspace streaked endlessly beyond the cruiser's viewport, pale blue light flooding the dim cabin where Kaelen and Obi-Wan sat opposite one another. Between them, resting on a small holotable, lay the artifact they had nearly died retrieving — the bronze, hexagonal holocron engraved in delicate geometric spirals.
The object pulsed faintly, as though breathing.
Kaelen stared at it, unable to look away.
"Master," he said softly, "I feel like it's… listening."
Obi-Wan folded his arms across his chest, gazing at the holocron with wary respect. "It very well might be. And that is exactly why we must not tamper with it further."
Kaelen blinked. "You don't want to study it?"
"I want to understand it," Obi-Wan corrected, "but not without the Council's supervision. This holocron was hidden for a reason. And considering who its creator was…" He trailed off, lips pressed thin. "We should proceed with extreme caution."
HK-47 stood behind Kaelen with his hands behind his back, posture rigid.
"Advisory: I concur with the bearded Jedi unit. Ancient artifacts can be unpredictable, dangerous, or explosively unpredictable. Often all three."
Obi-Wan stared at HK with exhausted irritation. "I hate that I agree with him."
Kaelen exhaled slowly, hands on his knees. "So we wait."
"Yes. Once we reach Coruscant, we'll present this to Masters Yoda and Windu. Until then—" Obi-Wan's voice sharpened. "—we do not touch it."
Kaelen nodded.
And yet…
The holocron pulsed again.
Not bright.Not urgent.Just… aware.
It hummed faintly under his senses, like a whisper under the breath of the Force. Each pulse seemed timed to his heartbeat. As though the object was calling him — and only him.
Kaelen tore his gaze away. "I understand, Master. We'll wait."
Obi-Wan gave an approving nod and stood. "Good. I'm going to check on our ETA. Please refrain from—" His eyes narrowed as if he already regretted the words. "—doing anything reckless."
Kaelen offered a sheepish smile. "I'll try."
HK tilted his head.
"Observation: When an organic says 'I'll try,' it typically means 'prepare for disaster.' Shall I fetch a fire suppressor?"
"HK," Kaelen muttered, "go monitor the corridor."
"Compliance: Under protest."
HK clanked out of the room.
Obi-Wan sighed and headed for the cockpit. "Don't do anything… creative."
And then Kaelen was alone with the holocron.
The Pull
Kaelen tried — truly tried — to meditate, to keep his distance, to wait as Obi-Wan advised.
But the holocron called to him.
A soft hum resonated through the Force, vibrating along a thread that tied the object to his heartbeat. Kaelen found himself leaning closer before he even realized he'd moved.
He reached out to brush dust from the holocron's surface—
The ship lurched.
Kaelen's hand slipped.
And his lightsaber, clipped loosely to his belt, jostled just enough for the emitter shroud to catch the back of his hand.
A flash of pain.
A small, sharp cut.
"Ah—kark—"
A drop of blood welled up… wavered…
…and fell onto the holocron.
The change was instant.
The holocron vibrated.Its engravings lit up in golden patterns.A warm pulse rippled through the room.
Kaelen froze.
"Oh, no."
The holocron floated upward, unfolding like a blooming flower of bronze and light. A holographic figure shimmered into existence above it — a woman in elegant Jedi robes, dark hair tied in a simple knot, eyes sharp and discerning.
Her presence filled the room with a dignified, commanding calm.
"Identify yourself."
Kaelen swallowed, heart hammering.
"…Kaelen Shan."
Bastila's hologram tilted her head.Her eyes softened in recognition.
"Shan.""A descendant."
She stepped closer, hands folded behind her back with the poise of a seasoned Master.
"Why do you seek me? What knowledge do you pursue?"
Kaelen glanced toward the door, then back at her.He knew he should wait for Obi-Wan.He knew activating this holocron without the Council was dangerous.
But the truth rose to his lips before he could stop it.
"I seek training," he whispered. "Battle Meditation."
The room fell still.
Bastila regarded him with an unreadable expression — a mixture of sorrow, scrutiny, and something else. Something ancient.
"A heavy request," she said quietly."And a power the galaxy has abused time and again."
Kaelen lowered his head. "I know. But I need to understand it. I need to control it. Or it will control me."
Bastila's hologram stepped even closer, her face inches from his.
"Then understand this first, Kaelen Shan.""Battle Meditation is not power.""It is responsibility.""The will of the Force expressed through the heart of a single leader."
Her voice softened.
"Tell me… why should I entrust this teaching to you?"
Kaelen opened his mouth—
—and the door hissed open.
"KAELEN!"
Obi-Wan stood in the doorway, eyes wide, horror etched across his face.
"What did I just tell you?!"
Bastila turned to him calmly.
"Ah. A Jedi Master. This conversation is not intended for you."
Obi-Wan sputtered. "Not intended—? You— this— Kaelen, shut it down!"
"I can't!"
The holocron pulsed brighter, golden light bathing the room.
Bastila's gaze returned to Kaelen.
"We continue later. Prepare yourself, descendant. Your path will not be gentle."
The holocron snapped shut.
Light vanished.
Silence slammed down like a weight.
Kaelen looked up at Obi-Wan with wide, guilty eyes.
"…I can explain."
Obi-Wan rubbed his forehead."Force help me. Of course you can."
The holocron pulsed faintly in Kaelen's palms.
Alive.Awake.Waiting.