Interlude II: A Father and His Daughter

(Senator Padme Amidala's Private Apartments, Senate Apartment Complex, Senate Tower District, Coruscant, Coruscant System, Corusca Subsector, Coruscant Sector, Core Worlds)

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(Jedi Master Kellian Ordo POV)

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Kellian was in Padme's private apartments, and Anakin was right outside, but for all intents and purposes, this was just between them.

''Would you like anything to drink? A glass of Theed Honeywine perhaps?'' One of Padme's attendants asks, Sabé if he's not mistaken.

''No thank you, I have an important lunch at Dantari Deszmondz diner later today in the Temple district, the only place on the planet that sells a genuine Netra'gal with the option for a minimal alcohol version.'' Kellian replies.

''I've heard about Mr Deszmond, they say he studied under the legendary Strono Tuggs.'' Padme acknowledges.

''Indeed he did, and the man himself is not half bad…for an Awaud.'' Kellian says, some of his inter-clan rivalry slipping into his words.

''A what?'' Padme asks.

''An Awaud, Desz is Mandalorian like me, but he beings to Clan Awaud. I belong to Clan Ordo, a bit of an old clan rivalry there, between our clans, but so long as I pay him on time and don't boast and brag about Ordo's superiority he'll serve me.'' Says Kellian before sighing.

''But I digress…now then what is it you wished to see me about?'' Kellian asks.

''Have you ever been to Chandrila?'' Padme asks.

''A couple of times there's a uh Jedi Tomb there that belongs to a High Council member during the Cold War some 2500+ years ago. I make a pilgrimage there with every Padawan I take, just as I take them on Pilgrimages to other such places.'' Kellian replies, getting suspicious.

''Do you know a woman known as Seveerin Jade?'' Padme asks, and Kellian shoots to his feet. ''I'll take that as a yes.'' Padme adds.

''What business is this of yours?!'' Kellian demands.

''You should know, she got pregnant shortly after you last saw her, she gave birth to a daughter.'' Says Padme, and Kellian falls back on the couch.

''It's mine?'' Kellian asks.

''Yes.'' Padme responds.

''Fuck.'' Kellian responds, before turning to Sabé. ''I will take that Honeywine after all.'' He adds, before returning his attention to Padme. ''What's her name?'' Kellian asks.

''Mara, Mara Jade.'' Padme responds.

''Well shit, ain't that a surprise.'' Says Kellian as Sabé hands him the glass of Theed Honeywjne which he drained in one go.

''You're strangely calm about this.'' Sabé notes.

''Eh, to be perfectly honest I'm of the belief that the whole Jedi can not form attachments deal is overrated. Throughout history, many Jedi have formed attachments and either stayed true to the light or been brought back into its warmth because of their attachments. To name a few names? Revan, Hero of Tython, The Third Barsen'Thor, Bastila Shan, the Jedi Exile, and even a Jedi Grandmaster. I mean hell until this landed in my lap I had no reason not to have fun. Besides, the Code doesn't actually forbid sexual intercourse.'' Says Kellian.

Turning to the person who actually invited him to talk, Kellian decides to reassure them. ''There are rumours that both Masters Secura and Fisto have had relationships in the past, and as you will undoubtedly understand, Master Mundi has several wives and kids, though that's more because of the bad birthrate on his homeworld more than anything else. Besides, I can only name two Jedi who had offspring and came out alright…actually make that six.'' Kellian says.

''Would you like to meet her?'' Asks Padme.

''I think I would, but give me time to think about all of this, I have a lot to think about and a lot to do.'' Kellian says standing up. ''I have a meeting with some officers to get to, message me in a few hours when Seveerin and Mara are ready to meet.'' Kellian says.

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Kellian had gathered the likes of Brendol Hux, Carlist Rieekan, Jan Dodonna, Rom Mohc, Trachta, Orson Krennic, Enric Pryde, Gilad Pellaeon, Massimo Tagge, Gallius Rax, Armand Isard, and Sagoro Autem for a sealed conference regarding the War, as these were the men Kellian had gathered to work together to plan the systematic eradication of the Separatists.

Some of the brightest minds in the republic, with Kal beside him, Kellian entered the room and went to the table before pressing the various buttons on it.

The room sealed itself under ray shields and lightsaber-resistant doors and walls, the ultimate lock and key.

''This meeting is now in session, kindly take your seats so that we might begin.'' Kellian says.

''Forgive me, Master Jedi but I do not recognize you, might you explain that so we can determine why you've called us here.'' Krennic says.

''I am Jedi Master Kellian Ordo, and I am in charge of the Grand Army of the Republic's Special Operations Brigade. My former Master is Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's chief Military Advisor.'' Kellian says.

''I've heard of you, you've led strikes against fleets and taken them down with the lowest casualty rate of any Jedi. The Confederacy fears you for your ability to vanish their fleets from existence.'' Dodonna speaks up.

''Correct, I'm also uniquely qualified for the goal of this gathering. The total annihilation or subjugation of critical and personal resources of the Separatist Council and the capture or execution of Count Dooku.'' Kellian says, and when the men gathered don't speak up, Kellian presses on. ''Before Master Windu took me as his Padawan, my primary teacher was Count Dooku, making me unique in that I was the last person he trained prior to his defection and resignation respectively.'' Says Kellian and with that he has the attention of the room.

''What exactly is the goal?'' Tagge asks.

''We cripple the separatists by specifically targeting their leaders' resources. This group has been created specifically to target such resources. We will meet regularly, either in person or via holo in order to plan the strategies of fleets and ground forces targeting such resources. But not just resources, we'll also be targeting critical individuals associated with the leadership attacking the foundations to topple the confederacy.'' Kellian informs before touching more of the buttons on his console showing certain individuals on the list.

''That's the separatist council, but I don't recognize these others.'' Hux speaks up.

''We have here certain individuals that are crucial to eventually taking down the separatists. We'll start with these three and move up from there. First is this man, Lok Durd, I've no idea where he is, but according to reports and intel, he's working on a weapon which can kill our Clone's by the thousands and leave their droids unharmed. He's a priority target, he works for the separatist special weapons development and research group, but he is directly under Count Dooku. Then there is this man, Mar Tuurk. Separatist Fleet captain and skilled strategist, and the man it seems to be spearheading the separatist push into the Ryloth Sector. Our final first target is this woman, General Sev'rance Tann. Force-Sensitive and very dangerous, she was reported killed, but according to recent intel she may be alive. It will be my job to investigate this as Tann is no ordinary target.'' Says Kellian.

''I've read the reports, she's a known Jedi Killer.'' Pryde says.

''Our fleets will target these people's operations and own fleets, but it will up to our clone troopers and my order to deal with them. As for Tann, I'll deal with her myself because it's somewhat personal for me.'' Says Kellian, though he won't elaborate on that even if they ask.

''Your job is to plan out the strategies specifically designed to deal with these individuals and their resources. Between us, we'll end that war just a little bit earlier. That is all for this meeting, you may leave when you wish to, Marshal Skirata has your comm frequencies and when it's time to appear, you'll receive a random numerical message, telling you the meeting time, if you're unable to appear in person, simply log into the Special Operations Brigade Network using the numbers provided to you and you will appear via holo. Your personal quarters aboard your ships have already been given an advanced holocommunication suite for such purposes. Your numbers go in the password section.'' Kellian informs them, and with that, they all slowly leave until the only one left is Gallius Rax.

Rax stands up, and approaches him.

''Greetings father, it's been a long time.'' Rax says.

''It has Galli, I've been keeping up with your career, you've done well so far.'' Kellian tells him, patting his shoulder.

''I await your assignment Father.'' Gallius tells him.

''You passed through Prefsbelt with full honors, and completed your terms at Raithal and Anaxes with perfect marks. Well done, your next assignment is to become closer to the Tagge, Motti, and Tarkin Families. Keep close eyes specifically on Conan Anotnio Motti, Cassio Tagge, and Wilhuf Tarkin. Especially Tarkin. I want you to form friendships with these three men, We'll never be able to subvert them to our ultimate goals, but we'll at least be able to keep tabs on them. Aditionally, if at all possible become closer to Raith Siener and Dodonna. And Form a network within the fleets of all except Tarkin.'' Kellian orders.

''Yes, father.'' Says Gallius.

''And do yourself and me a favor and find yourself a good woman to settle down with.'' Kellian says before leading him out of the room. ''I'm not picky Rax, but it would do you some good to settle down.'' Kellian says switching from being truthful to public. That room was swept by Kal's men personally, it was filled with anti-surveilance measures and anti-recording stuff. The hallway, not so much.

''As if you could help me with that General, your a Jedi, Jedi are forbidden from relationships.'' Galli replies switching to match him.

''Actually the Jedi Code just forbids us from forming attachments. Theoretically we can have sex and regular sexual relationships so long as we don't form an attachment such as marriage. That's not say I wouldn't be heavily reprimanded and punished, but if it's just sex as opposed to a commited relationship then the High Council can't exactly expel you for breaking the code.'' Kellian says.

''Sounds like a loophole to me.'' Rax responds.

''Honestly it's hard to say. The Code is over a thousand years old, and the council throughout the ages has been known to be flexible on relationships. I mean, who's to say when the Code was revised, the Master's didn't take into account the fact that temptation would always be there and wrote the code in a way that would allow a Jedi to remain faithful to the Order, but sate their urges without compromise? I suppose it's up to the council really.'' Kellian says, before his comm starts beeping.

''I have to get back to my Fleet.'' Galli tells him.

''And I have a prior engagement. Good luck Captain Rax.'' Kellian says as he shakes hands with the son he adopted after a trip to Jakku on a whim.

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(POV Shift: Captain Gallius Rax, Commander of the Fifth Republic Special Operations Fleet)

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It was good to see his father again, it'd been years. They'd met on his homeworld years and years ago. Father came, and selected him specifically, took him away from the life of servitude and gave him a life. The choice was simple, stay and serve his old masters or come and serve him and be apart of a true family.

Father couldn't be around to much, but Galli had met his older sister through Father. Like him, she was taken from a terrible life, and given a new one. As Father told them, when it all ended they could truly be a family. He'd no longer have to hide his position as their father from the other Jedi and they'd have a mother as well eventually.

Father had put Sariss through the belt and other institutions, but for him had elected for a more specific education. He was enrolled into Prefsbelt, and took terms at Raithal and Corulag for extra resume points, and for the training value. Raithal was primarily for ground troops, so that would help in certain scenarios, and the Anaxes War College had always been a prestigious institution like Prefsbelt IV. This just made his education better. He didn't fully understand why his father insisted on it, but he'd learned long ago that his father rarely told him everything for a reason. Gallius knew he had another sister, but had yet to meet her, that was by design, a design he understood the necessity of. Secrecy as his father put it once, was how they would ultimately win.

Galli's job was to form connections and relationships within the Navy and build a network of contacts, friends, and allies. Sariss and his other sister were in charge of doing the same in the underworld and doubtless father was doing the same in other places. When the War ended, father had promised ot gather them all together in order to begin the endgame.

He didn't know what that endgame was, but at least he'd do it with his family.

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(POV Shift: Jedi Master Kellian Ordo)

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Kellian was so nervous, rare thing for him it's true. Technically, he really shouldn't be doing this. But he needed to know for sure whether or not he not only had a daughter, but that whether or not said daughter was truly Mara Jade. He didn't remember her mother well, he'd taken his last apprentice their on his usual pilgramage to the Barsen'thor's tomb, they made a few stops beforehand and after and he had at least two or three sexual encounters in that time.

He didn't remember a redhead though, he remembered a Ginger, not a redhead….Actually, he remembered two gingers. Come to think of it actually, he quite possibly had other children out there that were his biologically. He could count on one hand the number of women he'd actually not pulled out of. He usually was conscious of the fact it would be a serious problem for him if he had kids. Which is why he never made a habit of it. His first time for instance had no chance of resulting in offspring since the mother, a fellow padawan died shortly after the fact. What made it worse for him was that he often had the habit of unknowingly picking up girls from influential families. To be fair though, most of the time when you hook up on the club scene for a one-off thing you don't say names. He's just unfortunate enough to be finding out the morning after.

Kellian goes to step out of the elevator but pauses.

''Fuck.'' He mutters.

He can feel her presence in the force, it's strong and it's very noticeable. Meaning he cannot do this here. It's only a matter of time before the Jedi and future Emperor Wrinkles come looking. Meaning he needed to get his daughter and her mother out now.

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(POV Shift: Illima Beroya)

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She hated Coruscant.

Enough that she tried not to come here actively.

Coruscant brought back bad memories for her, she had family here of course, and that was the only reason she came here. She was called by her brother, not an unusual thing. But then he said he needed her and her husband to extract his daughter and her mother from Coruscant.

That got her attention.

As it stood, she was giving her brother a very smug smile.

''Seriously Illi? You of all people giving me that look?'' Her brother asked her.

''I'm giving you that look Kellian, because you had a child illegitimately, I got married and washed it away. You. Can't. Do. That.'' She replies.

''Whatever, I've better things to do, like talking to my daughter.'' Kellian tells her.

''Don't forget about the Strill's. Just because you keep Akk Dogs, doesn't mean you're not taking the Strill's back.'' Illima calls after him.

''Send them to Kal Skirata.'' Kellian calls over his shoulder.

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(POV Shift: Mara Jade)

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Daddy had come for her and mom.

He took them away and brought them to a ship.

But she didn't care.

Daddy had come for her.

''Daddy, you came.'' Mara said, hugging him. He hesitated briefly, before hugging her back.

''Yes, Mara. I came, for you.'' She hugged him tighter for that.

''Mara, I want to introduce you to someone. This is my sister, Illima Ordo. She's your aunt, and she'll be taking you to meet your cousins.'' Daddy told her, and she felt excitement because it meant that she would get to meet Daddy's family.

''Hello Mara, you can call me Aunty Illi.'' Aunt Illi tells her.

''Mara give me a moment to speak to some people, I'll be right back okay?'' Daddy tells her.

''Okay, Daddy.'' Says Mara as she begins to poke and prod Aunt Illi's armour. The Colours are so beautiful.

''Illima, be nice.'' Says Daddy.

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(POV Shift: Kal Skirata)

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Kal could've gotten them out, but he understood why Kellian brought Beroya in. He might have his differences with Kellian's brother-in-law, but the man was an expert at covert extractions and was a true traditional Mandalorian. Plus, Kellian was entrusting his daughter to the only sibling he had who currently had experience raising small children.

Illima Beroya had married into the Beroya family a few years ago, she had children both adopted and blood. Besides, Kal was a poor parent anyway. His sons were proof of that. Not the Null's of course, but this son's from his marriage.

''I want them both to have trackers placed in their spines, and I want you to help the Beroya clan relocate them.'' Says Kellian.

''I've already arranged for the procedures, but there's a problem.'' Kal says.

''What kind of problem?'' Kellian asks.

''The mother is refusing to go, she's agreed to let the girl go, but she has refused. Says she's a duty to her homeworld, the senator and a whole other spiel I had no interest in hearing.'' He didn't have an interest in politics, so he usually walked out on people talking about it.

''I'll try and talk some sense into her then.'' Kellian says with a deep sigh.

''Good luck, you'll need it.'' Kal told him, this was a no-win situation.

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(Author's Note:)

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Let me be upfront and say that I'm aware that Kellian is only three years older than Gallius Rax, but given this is largely a Legends-Universe I'm allowed some creative liberties and how I use characters and what I do to them, especially since they are Canon characters. And I prefer Legends.

Also, I hadn't planned to introduce Kellian's siblings just yet, but when I was writing it I realised it was the best time to do so since I hadn't originally taken into account the Jedi and Palpatine when I introduced Mara so it was a necessary and useful introduction for both.

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