Sleep did not come easily to Khan.
When he finally opened his eyes, the dim glow of Coruscant's early morning bled through the blinds, and he felt as if he had barely closed them at all. His body was still, but his mind—his mind had not stopped moving since his conversation with Masters Yoda and Windu.
The Chosen One… abandoned… Alderaan… the Force leading Yoda to me…
Each revelation echoed in his thoughts like ripples in a pool, overlapping and distorting one another. He breathed slowly, deeply, trying to separate one feeling from the next. Confusion. Curiosity. Fear. Purpose. All swirling like a storm inside him.
He sat up and placed his feet on the cold floor, pressing his palms together and closing his eyes. The Force flowed around him—gentle, warm, steady. He reached for it the way Plo Koon had taught him over the years: not as a weapon, not as a test of strength, but as a companion. A guide.
The tension in his chest loosened. His heartbeat steadied. His mind quieted just enough to breathe clearly again.
He whispered, "Thank you," to the calm that enveloped him.
After a few minutes of meditation, he stood, dressed in his robes, and clipped his lightsaber to his belt. The weight of it grounded him, reminded him of who he already was—not who a prophecy claimed he might be.
The temple hallways were peaceful at this hour. Soft light filled the corridors, and the faint hum of morning activity stirred somewhere deep within the massive structure. As Khan turned a corner, he saw a familiar figure approaching.
Master Plo Koon.
The Kel Dor always walked with a presence—quiet, thoughtful, unshakable. His mask caught the light gently as he nodded in greeting.
"Master Plo," Khan said with a respectful bow. "Good morning."
"And a good morning to you as well, Padawan Khan." Plo's voice, filtered through his mask, still carried warmth. "I believe you depart for your assignment on Naboo today."
"Yes, Master. I'm on my way now to meet Senator Palpatine."
Plo tilted his head slightly, studying him for a moment longer than usual.
"You did not sleep well," he said—not a question, but quiet truth.
Khan exhaled. "No… my thoughts were louder than rest." He hesitated, then added, "A lot was revealed to me yesterday."
Plo nodded slowly, as if he already knew. "Master Yoda has always trusted in the currents of the Force. If he felt you were ready to hear these things, then you are."
"I'm trying to believe that," Khan admitted.
"You will," Plo said gently. "In time. Remember what I taught you—do not fight the Force to seek clarity. Listen to it. Let it steady you when you cannot steady yourself."
Khan felt a small smile tug at his lips. "Thank you, Master. Truly."
"May the Force guide you," Plo replied, resting a hand on Khan's shoulder. "And do not neglect your training. Your connection is strong, but strength without discipline can lead you astray."
"I won't fall behind," Khan promised.
"I know," Plo said—soft, assured. "Safe travels, Padawan."
With a final bow, Khan continued on, feeling just a little more grounded than he had when he woke.
Palpatine's private hangar was already bustling when Khan arrived. Servants and attendants hurried about, loading the last of the senator's luggage onto the sleek, polished shuttle.
Palpatine turned the moment he sensed Khan's presence, his politician's smile widening with practiced warmth.
"My good friend Khan," he said, stepping forward with open arms. "I'm very pleased you could join me. I hope the Council didn't burden you too much with Naboo's… ah, rather sudden request."
"Not at all, Senator," Khan replied with a slight bow. "Some of the Council believe I will do well on this assignment."
"Of course you will," Palpatine said with a gentle laugh. "Truly, you are practically a Jedi Master already."
Khan shook his head politely. "Thank you for the compliment, Senator, but I still have much to learn."
Palpatine's smile never wavered, though his eyes flickered with something unreadable for the briefest second.
A servant approached and bowed. "The ship is prepared for departure, Senator."
"Excellent," Palpatine said smoothly. He gestured toward the ramp. "Well then—shall we?"
Khan nodded. "Yes. Let us make our way to Naboo."
Together, they ascended the ramp and boarded the ship. The hatch sealed behind them with a hiss, engines humming to life as the craft lifted from the hangar floor and soared into Coruscant's morning sky.
The journey—and whatever destiny awaited him—had begun.
The journey to Naboo was unusually peaceful.
Khan spent most of the trip seated in quiet meditation, legs folded, palms resting lightly on his knees. The steady hum of the ship blended with the subtle flow of the Force around him, soothing the remnants of the turbulent night he had endured.
It reminded him of the last time he'd traveled here—two years ago, accompanying Senator Palpatine on another diplomatic visit. He remembered the lakes, the waterfalls, the serene architecture… Naboo was a world that felt alive in a way few others did.
A gentle shift in the ship's engines signaled their descent from hyperspace.
Khan's eyes opened, calm and focused. He stood and made his way toward the front of the vessel where Palpatine was already watching the blue-and-green orb of Naboo grow in the viewport.
"I sense we have arrived, Senator," Khan said quietly.
Palpatine smiled, hands clasped behind his back. "Yes, my young friend. We will be landing shortly. Hard to believe—it has been nearly two years since you last visited. I hope Naboo greets you as warmly as before."
Khan nodded. "Thank you, Senator. I look forward to seeing the planet again."
The shuttle slipped through the upper atmosphere, clouds parting to reveal sweeping green fields, sparkling rivers, and the glistening domes of Theed. Even after years of Jedi training, the beauty of Naboo was enough to steal a breath.
The ship angled toward Theed's royal landing bay—reserved for officials, diplomats, and honored guests. It touched down smoothly, metal cooling with soft clicks as the landing ramp lowered.
Warm sunlight poured in.
Khan and Palpatine stepped out together, greeted immediately by a welcoming party of elegant Naboo guards in red armor—and by a familiar, kind-faced man standing at the front.
Ruwee Naberrie, father of Padmé.
"Welcome, Senator. And welcome to you as well, Jedi," Ruwee said with a respectful bow. "I trust your trip was smooth?"
Palpatine stepped forward first. "Perfectly so. No trouble on our route." He reached out and clasped Ruwee's hand warmly. "How are you doing, my friend?"
"I'm well," Ruwee said, beaming. "It is… a very happy time for my family."
Khan stepped forward with a polite nod. "I'm glad to hear that, sir. How is Padmé?"
Ruwee's expression softened with fatherly pride. "She is doing wonderfully. So composed… so determined. I still can hardly believe my little girl will soon be Queen of Naboo."
Palpatine placed a hand over his heart with theatrical sincerity. "A promising and bright leader indeed. The people of Naboo could not be in better hands."
All three shared a small laugh as the tension eased. Ruwee gestured politely toward a line of transports waiting near the hangar entrance.
"I assume, Senator, that you'll be staying in your residence here in Theed?" Ruwee asked. "But… what of the Jedi?" He turned to Khan. "If you don't mind, I'd be honored to host him at my estate. Our home has room, and my family would be delighted."
Palpatine nodded approvingly. "I have no objections. But only if our friend here is comfortable with it."
Khan bowed slightly. "I would be honored to stay with your family, Mr. Naberrie."
Ruwee chuckled warmly. "Please—just call me Ruwee. You are a friend of Naboo. No need for such formality."
Khan allowed himself a small smile. "Of course… Ruwee."
Ruwee clapped him lightly on the shoulder in a welcoming gesture. "Come then! I'll have your things taken to the residence. Sola and Jobal will be thrilled to meet you again."
As they began walking toward the waiting transport, the bright Naboo sun cast long, welcoming shadows across the polished landing pad.
After parting ways with Senator Palpatine, Khan followed Ruwee into a waiting speeder. The ride through Theed was peaceful, lined with flowing water channels, vine-wrapped pillars, and the gentle architecture Naboo was famous for. Khan found himself breathing easier here—something about Naboo's natural harmony always soothed him.
Ruwee smiled as he glanced over. "Feels familiar, doesn't it? Last time you were here, you accompanied my Wife Jobal on that Relief mission, she told me how you helped when the chaos erupted as well."
Khan allowed a small chuckle. "Yes… the Valley of Vane. I had hoped to see more of Naboo that day." His expression softened. "But the Gungan bandits had other plans."
"We were all grateful you were there," Ruwee said sincerely. "Those farmers still speak highly of you."
"That means a great deal. Thank you."
The speeder rose toward the upper terraces of Theed—home to scholars, artisans, and promising families of influence. The Naberrie residence stood out even among its neighbors: a large, elegant structure built of pale stone, its curved pillars draped in flowering vines. Water trickled down carved channels along the walls, filling the air with gentle sound.
A home full of life.
They entered through tall arching doors into a warm, well-lit atrium. Servants bowed respectfully. At its center stood two familiar women—Jobal and Sola Naberrie.
Jobal's face lit up instantly. "Khan! Oh, it has been too long." She stepped forward and took his hands warmly, something few people ever dared to do to a Jedi. "I'm glad to see you well. I'm sorry we didn't get to speak more during your last visit. Everything became chaos so quickly."
Khan bowed politely, though the warmth in his eyes seemed genuine. "It's good to see you again, Jobal. I've been well. And yes… the events of that mission left little time for conversation. I'm grateful I'll be staying longer this time. I will be in your family's care."
"That you will," she said proudly. "And we're happy to have you."
She turned slightly, taking the hand of the young woman beside her. "Oh! And you never properly met my eldest daughter last time. This is Sola—Padmé's older sister."
Sola stepped forward, offering a bright but respectful smile. "Greetings. Padmé has told me a bit about you. I've always wondered… what's it like being a Jedi? Is it as exciting as the stories make it sound?"
Jobal sighed in mock exasperation. "Sola, he just arrived. You can't start interrogating him the moment he walks through the door."
"I'm not interrogating him," Sola protested lightly. "I'm just… curious!"
Khan laughed softly. "It's quite alright. When there's time, I'd be happy to share some stories. Though I promise they're far less glamorous than many imagine."
"Even better," Sola grinned. "Real Jedi stories."
Ruwee, amused, clapped a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "Let the man breathe, Sola."
He then turned to one of the nearest servants. "Please ensure dinner is ready in two hours. Our guest, Khan, will be joining us. Inform the chef and staff."
The servant bowed and swiftly departed.
Ruwee looked back to Khan with a gentler expression. "Come—I'll show you to the guest room. You've had a long trip, and you should rest. Padmé will arrive for dinner this evening. You'll have a chance to greet her properly then."
Khan nodded respectfully. "Thank you. I look forward to seeing Padmé again. It's been far too long."
Jobal smiled knowingly. "She'll be glad to see you as well."
Ruwee guided Khan down a quiet hall lined with artwork of Naboo's landscapes—fields, rivers, bridges, the sky during sunset. The guest room was spacious, touched with Naboo's soft, elegant style: light fabrics, warm colors, an open balcony overlooking the city below.
"This will be your space during your stay," Ruwee said. "If you need anything at all, simply ask."
"I appreciate your hospitality," Khan replied with a slight bow.
Ruwee gave him a fatherly nod. "Rest well. The days ahead will be important ones for Naboo… and for Padmé."
With that, he left Khan alone in the peaceful quiet of the room—giving the Padawan time to breathe, to settle, and to prepare for the days to come.