Bond82

Title: A Bond Of Friendship: Story 8: A New Begining
Author:Angel5000

     Obi-Wan was quickly loosing what little strength he had. Kami was on the offensive and was attacking with everything she had, taking advantage of her opponents weakened state. The boy had to jump back quickly as Kami�s orange lightsaber swiped at his mid-section.

     �Are we having fun yet?� Kami panted as she swung again, forcing Obi-Wan to retreat further.

     �Tons of it.� Obi-Wan replied, attempting to avoid another swing. He was a bit slow and drew a sharp breath as he felt the energy blade brush his arm. The boy was aware of the wall a few feet behind him and realized that Kami was trying to get him backed into a corner. It was about this time that he realized the only way he could even come close to winning was to get on the other side of his friend. To do that he would have to somersault over the top of her, reaching a height of at least five feet in the air. This is going to take a lot of energy. I don�t think I can make it.

     Of course you can make it stupid! He argued with himself.

     But I�m getting so tired and I�ll have to go so high!

     You�re wasting precious energy while you debate it. You could have been over by now! Stop arguing and go!

     Would you stop telling me what to do? Obi-Wan nearly laughed out loud; he couldn�t believe he was arguing with himself. This is ridiculous! I�ll just have to do it if this fight is going to last more than five more minutes. Just the thought of having to duel for five more minutes was tiring and he was almost prepared to give up but the mischievous glint in Kami�s eye told him that quitting would mean he�d never hear the end of it. That�s it! I�m doing it!

     Those were his last thoughts. After that he pulled the Force around him, backed up three steps quickly, and then ran. After a couple of steps he jumped and somersaulted over his friend, twisting his body around so that he landed facing Kami. She spun around, but not quick enough and found herself leaping backward to avoid his blade. Now it was she with the disadvantage. Kami was only on defense for a few seconds before become the aggressor again. It would have been easier for her to stay on the defense and wait until Obi-Wan tired but she was getting cocky and wanted to end the match. They sparred for a few more minutes before she spun and ended with her lightsaber pointing at his neck. At the same time Obi-Wan jabbed her in the stomach with his, as though she were being impaled.

     �Kill point!� The two teens said simultaneously.

     �Match over. Ends in an impasse. Take opposite ends of the mat for the tiebreaker match.� Kith said in his referee voice.

     �Tiebreaker?� Obi-Wan panted. �Can�t we just leave it at a stalemate?�

     Kith watched the boy carefully. He was obviously exhausted but custom and tradition demanded that they continue. In a real battle the opponent would not postpone the match because the one fighting was too tired to continue. Yet Kith couldn�t make Obi-Wan continue fighting, not when he had just come from the Clinic.

     �Alright, for now it will remain a stalemate. But tomorrow you two will continue. Agreed?� Kith asked.

     �Yes Master.�

     �Yes Master Chi�yo.�

     Obi-Wan and Kami stepped back and bowed before shutting off their lightsabers. �Good job Obi-Wan, you did an okay job there.� Kami said, tossing her friend a towel.

     �Okay job? I think I did pretty damn well for my condition.� The boy replied with a grin.

     Kith raised an eyebrow, �Language please Padawan Kenobi.�

     Obi-Wan flushed a little before apologizing. He hadn�t been called Padawan Kenobi for quite a while, only when he was talking with superior Jedi Masters or when he was in trouble was his title used. �Sorry sir, it just slipped out. Um�� The boy paused, glancing around for his Master. Usually Qui-Gon would have reprimanded him for his language, not Kith, �Where did my Master go?�

     �He had to speak with someone. I was told that you knew what you were supposed to do after the duel.� Kith replied, his voice softening.

     �Yeah, I�m supposed to meditate on the two duels and see what conclusion I come up with. Master has me do that after every duel in order to learn the most from my mistakes.� Obi-Wan said with a sigh. It wasn�t that he didn�t like to meditate; there were just other things he preferred to do.

     Kith nodded and motioned towards Kami, �Then we�ll return to our quarters. Qui-Gon will meet you back in your quarters.� He said as he left.

     �Obi-Wan, could you explain the Force to me.� Cassiono asked as they walked down the corridor.

     �Well, the Force is inside of everyone and everything. It makes us able to do quite a bit actually�let me tell you a story that might explain it better. A few months ago�

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     Qui-Gon smiled as he left the Healer�s Wing of the Temple. He had found Christe Eleison, the great Healer-Knight, and had held a very interesting conversation with her about Cassiono. The news of the twelve-year old girl had both surprised and pleased Christe. She too, had been brought to the Temple at a late age, and had had to fight to get to where she was. The Council had allowed her to remain at the Temple if she trained as a Healer; she was too old to become a Knight. Later, when she was sixteen, her Trainer and Mentor had died. A planet in the aftermath of a terrible civil war had requested the Jedi to send someone to help them with their injuries. Their planet was too primitive to adequately take care of their wounded and so two Jedi Healer�s had been sent to help; Christe had been one of them.

     When a group of radical rebels had protested the Peace Treaty, violence broke out and the two Healers were caught in the middle of it. Because they carried no weapons and had no formal training in fighting or defending themselves, Christe and her Master had been forced to flee. While they ran a stray blaster bolt had hit the Senior Healer, Christe had carried her beloved Mentor to their ship and had taken her home to Coruscant. But by the time they arrived it was too late.

     After that Christe had refused to continue her training under another Healer. She insisted that she learn fighting skills and be allowed to carry a lightsaber if she were to be sent to other planets. The Council refused and instead stated that they wouldn�t send their Healers into positions where they could be in similar situations. Christe protested, saying that there were several planets that needed their help desperately, and they could save possibly hundreds or thousands of lives, but that the Healers ought to be allowed to learn to defend themselves. Several of the Senior Healers had objected, saying that they were symbols of peace, and lightsabers would make them too warlike. Eventually, after nearly two years, the Council decided to create a new group of Jedi, these would be called the Healer-Knights. This small group of people would be trained in the Arts of Healing and would focus primarily on healing others, but they would also learn to defend themselves and would carry lightsabers.

     Five other Healers, all full Healers, joined Christe in her training, and they became the Healer-Knights. This had all happened when Qui-Gon was still a Padawan and even now the group was small, having only fifteen fully trained members � each with an Apprentice. Christe�s Apprentice had just advanced to a full Healer-Knight a few months ago, and she was currently looking for a child who was interested in the cause, to take on. This group of people usually chose compassionate children who were deeply committed and without doubts, and who advanced quickly in their classes. The children were usually chosen young and must be quick learners so that they could fully learn both the Healing Arts and the defense abilities.

     Christe seemed very interested in Cassiono. Not only was the girl similar to her in many respects, she was also a quick learner and already partially trained in healing. Tomorrow she would come down and speak with the girl. If she found that Cassiono would indeed work out as a Healer-Knight than they would meet with the Council. Everything would be decided in a couple of days.

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     The next day Qui-Gon took Cassiono and Obi-Wan back to the gym to practice some more. Obi-Wan was practicing his Kata�s while Qui-Gon watched and made corrections. Cassiono spent the time watching them and practicing what little Force manipulation she had learned from her brother, mostly lifting small blocks and pulling items towards herself. She had just started to pull a remote towards her when someone entered the room. The girl felt �something� tremble, the Force! It was so wonderful actually knowing what it was that she felt whispering at her and brushing her mind.

     Obi-Wan stopped in the mid-step during his Kata�s when he felt Healer-Knight Christe enter the room. What is she doing here? I�ve never seen Christe use this gym before!

     �Please continue Obi-Wan.� Qui-Gon said quietly.

     �But Master ��

     �Please. Continue.� Qui-Gon said, emphasizing every word. He knew that Christe had entered but that wasn�t cause for Obi-Wan to stop his lessons. The Healer was here to observe and speak with Cassiono anyway, not Obi-Wan. When his Padawan had returned to his lesson the Jedi Knight spoke again, this time to someone else, �Cassiono, come over here please.� His voice was low but the girl heard him, she had good hearing, and it was even better with the Force to enhance it.

     Cassiono hurried over, �Yes Master Jinn?� She asked.

     Qui-Gon nodded his head towards Christe, �That lady, Healer-Knight Christe Eleison, would like to speak with you about some things. You�re going to spend a few hours with her while Obi-Wan is training.� He explained.

     �Yes sir.� The twelve-year old girl was thoroughly confused but she didn�t object, instead she headed over to where the Healer-Knight waited by the wall watching their conversation. �I understand you wanted to speak with me.� She said respectfully after bowing to the great lady.

     �Yes Cassiono, I wish to speak with you. Considering I already know most of your story we�ll skip the formalities. I am Healer-Knight Christe Eleison, as I am sure Qui-Gon already told you. What I want to know is your skills, what you can and can�t do, what you know and what you�re interested in doing.� Christe said. She was a blunt woman, and quite demanding but could be the gentlest person in the world if she needed to be.

     �Whatever Master Jinn told you I can do is about the limit. Right now my Force skills are minimal, moving blocks around is the most I can do at the moment. As for what I�m interesting in doing, I�ll do anything that will keep me at the Temple.�

     �Do you wish to remain at the Temple your entire life or do you mean that you prefer to remain in the work of the Temple.� Christe replied.

     �I�m too old to become a Jedi Knight�s Apprentice.� Cassiono said matter-of-factly.

     �I was not speaking of becoming a Knight. Have you ever thought of becoming a Healer-Knight?�

     �I had never thought of it before, although I have heard my brother speaking of such a thing. He thinks I would do well as one.� Cassiono was surprised that Healer-Knight Eleison was speaking of such a thing to her. It was almost enough to get her hopes up, but she didn�t want to do that � it would only cause a harder downfall.

     �If you were given the choice do you think you would agree? And do you think you would do well at such a job?� Christe prodded.

     �I think I would do well if someone were to teach me what I needed to learn. According to those around I am a quick learner. As for me being given the choice�I would gladly accept if someone offered. Healing and working with people is something I love and traveling would be wonderful. For nearly my entire life I lived in the same place and haven�t seen much of the galaxy.� Cassiono�s voice was full of excitement. She wanted so bad to be trained!

     �Well then Cassiono, I have seen you practicing and I know that you are a good listener, quick learner, hard worker, and above all a dedicated student. So, in light of all this, I would like to ask if you would like to become my Healer-Knight Apprentice.� As Christe spoke Cassiono�s heart rose and her eyes lit up, �Before you reply however, let me warn you of something. Training will not be easy as you have much to catch up on and to learn, and I will not be able to train you right away. Instead someone else in the Temple will have to begin your training because I am going to be away from Coruscant for a couple of weeks. If, and only if, you are willing to accept all of this, and if you are truly committed then you may accept. Otherwise please decline.� Christe�s said.

     While Christe had been speaking Cassiono had remained quiet, partially from shock, and had waited. As soon as she finished speaking the girl answered, �Healer-Knight Eleison, I would be honored if I could become your Apprentice. I promise to work hard and being trained at first by someone else is endurable. Yes, I accept your offer.�

     �I am glad you accept. For now you will remain with Master Jinn and his Apprentice until I speak with the Council and make everything official. They will have to agree to let you train before you can technically be my Learner.� Christe responded.

     �May I tell them?�

     Christe paused for a moment before answering, �Yes, you may tell them. I have an audience with the Council this evening so tomorrow I will speak with you.�

     �When do you leave�er�?� Cassiono stuttered; she didn�t know what she was to call Christe now that she was her Apprentice.

     �You can call me Master now. I leave tomorrow evening so everything must be decided before then.� Christe glanced at the ion clock on the wall, �I must leave now. You may return to Master Jinn, it looks as though they are finishing up anyway. Tonight I would like you to spend two hours practicing Force Manipulation. Work on moving things but mostly open yourself up to the Force and feel it flowing through you. We�ll talk about it tomorrow before I leave. All right?� Christe asked.

     �Yes Master.� Cassiono bowed and hurried over to where Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were waiting.

     As she hurried away Christe felt a strange surge in the Force, as though something were wrong. Before she even had time to contemplate the feeling it disappeared as quickly as it had come. With one last glance at her new Apprentice Christe Eleison left the gym for her meeting with the Council Members.

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     Cassiono stood in the Clinic and waited. She had been sent by Qui-Gon to pick up Obi-Wan�s medicine. Because of the damage his muscles and nerves suffered while on Codani II, the teenager needed to take some medicine that would help strengthen him and would contribute to his complete Healing. According to the Healer�s it would take several weeks before her brother was completely healed and restored back to his normal self. Until then Qui-Gon had to administer a shot to his Apprentice every morning and evening starting today.

     At the moment she was waiting for the Healer�s Apprentice that she had fought with earlier, Bruck Chun, to finish getting the medicine. She watched as the boy mixed together the liquids from several different bottles and poured it into a third, empty container. Then he did something she didn�t expect, he poured two drops of blue liquid from a bottle on a different shelf into the bottle. As he did so she could feel the Force shift around her, �What are you doing?�

     �What do you mean? I�m mixing up the medicine for oafy. What did you expect me to be doing?� Bruck responded.

     �Watch it, that�s my brother you�re insulting! Keep it up and you just might find yourself with a broken nose.� Cassiono growled.

     �Ooh, feisty aren�t we? It�s a joke kid; don�t you know how to take a joke? Besides, haven�t you been granted sanctuary? Because if you have I thought you were supposed to follow our rules and threatening a fellow Jedi is against the rules.�

     �Shut up and give me the medicine.� Was all Cassiono said. She didn�t want a fight and she didn�t want trouble. All she wanted was to get out of here.

     Bruck grinned, although it wasn�t a genuine smile, and tossed her the bottle. �Remember, a shot twice a day through the arm. If you forget there could be serious problems.�

     Cassiono didn�t reply. Instead she left the room and headed back to the quarters. Once she got there Qui-Gon administered the shot and they proceeded about their day.

     A couple of hours later, however, Obi-Wan started feeling lightheaded and dizzy. Immediately he told Qui-Gon but before they could decide anything the boy collapsed on the floor. His breathing was shallow and his face pale. Within minutes his face was covered in sweat and the boy had to struggle for each breath he took. Without a second thought Qui-Gon rushed him back to the Clinic, Cassiono following at his heels.

     The Healers took the unconscious boy from his Master and began to exam him quickly, doing their best to determine the cause of his illness. Cassiono watched on in horror as Obi-Wan grew worse. The last thing she heard before collapsing was the shouted words of the Healer, �We�re loosing him!�

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     Christe headed towards the quarters that Master Qui-Gon Jinn shared with his Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi. She expected to find her new Apprentice there in hopes that they could talk and spend the last few hours before she left together. The Council had, reluctantly, agreed to the young girl�s training. They had to be cautious though and at the slightest sign of trouble it would have to be called off. Starting out an apprenticeship like this was hard, and definitely not normal. For Cassiono not to be able to be with Christe during the first few weeks was going to be difficult on them all. She would begin training under someone else, Qui-Gon Jinn in this case, and so would then have to adjust to Christe�s teaching style upon the Healer-Knight�s return. It would be a little bit tough at first but it would work out � these things always did.

     The Healer-Knight was mentally going over the things she needed to cover with Cassiono and Qui-Gon before her departure when her comlink began to beep. She answered it, expecting the Council or a friend to be contacting her. What she didn�t expect was the strained voice of Qui-Gon.

     �Christe, we�re here on the Healer�s Floor in Bash�tas room. I know you need to talk to Cassiono before you go and I thought it would be best to let you know where we are. She refuses to leave Obi-Wan�s side so I think you�ll have to come up here.� Qui-Gon said; his voice etched with pain.

     �I�ll be right there Qui-Gon.� Christe replied before switching it off. Quickly she switched directions, this would be about the third time in the last year according the Obi-Wan�s records. Something must be seriously wrong with him.

     A couple of minutes later Healer-Knight Eleison arrived in Healer Bash�tas room. Bash�ta was several years her elder, having been a full Healer when Christe was only fourteen, but they were equals when it came to their professions. There wasn�t much that Bash�ta knew that Christe didn�t and visa versa. Healer Bash�ta rarely gave up on a patient and everyone knew how much she put on the line for Obi-Wan before. Always she had been able to pull the boy through. However, when Christe entered the room she was surprised at the look on Bash�tas face. It was a look of pure and utter defeat.

     �What happened?� Christe asked, heading towards the boy.

     �We don�t know. He started feeling dizzy and sick and then just collapsed. This time it�s worse than any other, except perhaps when he was so close to death a few months ago. I�m not sure what more to do for him and I�m beside myself with trying to calm down his sister. Cassiono has been sitting in that corner, hysterical since he came in here. I think it�s too much for her. And Qui-Gon is more worried than I am. I need some help Christe.� Bash�ta said, as she rubbed her eyes, a motion the younger Healer had come to recognize as one indicating extreme stress.

     �Don�t worry Bash�ta we�ll figure this thing out. The Force is with us, making us even more capable. I�ll speak with Cassiono first and then we�ll re-check Obi-Wan.� Christe paused and she felt a faint whisper in the Force, something was wrong� �I�ll need a blood test, and a full body scan, complete with toxin levels and everything else.� She didn�t give a reason, that would come later, but if she was right�oh Force she hoped she was wasn�t right, she hoped that she was dead wrong.

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     Bruck watched from the back of the room as his Mentor drew a blood sample and set up the scanner for the skin. This can�t be happening!! It can�t!! This so cannot be going on! As Bash�ta drew out the blood Bruck hurried forward to help, �I�ll run the scan Master. I want to help.�

     Bash�ta shook her head, �That�s okay Bruck; you set up the scanner. The blood analysis won�t take me more than five standard minutes.� As she set the blood up to be tested she could feel her Apprentice�s anxiety. Don�t worry young one, I�m sure the boy will be fine. He�s always pulled out before. She said, sending the words to the young man�s mind.

     Bruck didn�t respond, only nodded. His Master didn�t understand his feelings, didn�t understand at all. She never would either. Everything was so difficult. He wanted to explain but he couldn�t, although he opened his mouth to speak no words would come out. They didn�t understand � they never would.

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     Cassiono sat in the corner, huddled in a ball, and stared at the wall. She had stopped crying a few minutes ago but couldn�t shake the shock of another one of these attacks. What was wrong? What is happening! I know that there is something bad and evil in my brother! I know there is! But I don�t know how to help! As she sat there the girl could feel the Force moving and whispering but she was too inexperienced and could not decipher the words it spoke.

     �Cassiono! Cassiono look at me! Snap out of it child! Your brother will be all right but you must trust me! Cassiono look at me!� Christe was almost begging. To tell the truth, if begging would had worked Christe would have started right then and there. �Cassiono stop it right now! I need your help and if you don�t snap out of it Obi-Wan could not live! I am giving you an order child; you look at me right this instant or-� She was cut off when Cassiono turned towards her. The girl had responded to the harsh words rather than the soft ones, which surprised everyone present.

     �Master? What happened?� She asked quietly.

     �You went into some sort of shock. Thankfully you snapped out of it. I don�t need two patients here, when my hands are full with one. Now what I need you to do right now is tell me everything you can remember about today. Tell me everything, even the slightest, most insignificant detail.� The Healer demanded. This was for multiple reasons, the biggest was that it would keep the girl�s mind busy and she wouldn�t have time to slip into another trance, but she also hoped to find some reason as to what had happened.

     Cassiono started describing the day but before she got far Bash�ta shouted for Christe.

     �Christe! Christe there is some Nutralic Acid in this blood sample!� The older Healer cried.

     �Nutralic Acid? How did that get into his blood?� Christe asked, shocked at the news. Nutralic Acid was a deadly poison, one that could kill in a matter of minutes if taken the right way. When diluted with water, where the mixture was ninety-six percent water and four percent acid it could be used to clean out wounds because it would eat away the infection, but that was only in the worst cases. And the amount of Acid in Obi-Wan�s blood showed that when it entered his body it wasn�t diluted.

     �Perhaps he drank it.� Bruck said; his voice was calm � too calm for the circumstances.

     �You can�t drink the stuff! It�s impossible. It would burn your throat and death would be immediate. There wouldn�t have been time for it to have reached his blood before he died had he drank it. The only other way it could be administered is through injection. Then it takes two or three hours for the symptoms.�

     Cassiono�s head jerked up. The Force was practically screaming at her now, she knew what that stuff was!! �Wait! I know what it is! Obi-Wan got an injection two and a half hours ago with his medicine! The Nutralic Acid was in that dosage!�

     Bash�ta looked appalled, �We mixed the medicine ourselves from scratch! There�s no way it could have been in his medicine! All of the acids and other liquids that could cause dangerous side effects are kept on this shelf here.� She said, pointing towards a shelf above her head, �Those used for Obi-Wan�s medicine are over there.� She pointed towards the shelf a few feet away.

     �But this morning while Bruck was mixing the medicine he put in a few drops of that blue stuff on the shelf above your head Bash�ta! He put it in his bottle before mixing it!� Cassiono said, a sob escaping her.

     Bash�ta paled and Christe grabbed the bottle. At the same time Bruck turned and ran towards the door. Before he could get there however, Qui-Gon grabbed him and jerked him back.

     �Not so fast. I want to have a chat with you.� Qui-Gon said. His voice was low and calm but everyone in the room could feel the underlying anger. After Bruck had sat down Qui-Gon continued, �Now would you care to explain to me what Cassiono meant when she said that you put Nutralic Acid in Obi-Wan�s medicine.�

     �She�s lying! Why would I do something like that? I�m a Healer�s Apprentice, not a murderer!� Bruck protested feebly. He knew it was no use but he had to defend himself as best as he could.

     �I am not lying! Why don�t you check for yourself! Run a sample analysis on the medicine! I�ll bet you find poison in there!� Cassiono said, angry tears spilling down her cheeks. At this moment she didn�t care that she was crying, all she wanted was to prove that this boy had tried to kill her brother.

     Christe nodded and began to run an analysis. Within minutes she had found what she needed, �There are indeed large traces of Nuralic Acid. Had he eventually been given all the liquid in the bottle he would have suffered a slow and agonizing death.�

     Bash�tas face was pale white; she couldn�t believe that he would do such a thing! Her Apprentice, her very own apprentice�the boy she had trusted for so long had turned around and betrayed her and betrayed his friends and fellow Jedi. �Please Bruck�tell me it was a mistake.� The healer whispered quietly, even though she knew the answer.

     �Forgive me Master, I cannot deny what is true. Forever he has taken from me what I wanted. Had it not been for him I would have been chosen as a Jedi Knight! Do you think I wanted to become a Healer? I want to be a Knight! I have always wanted to become a Jedi Knight, more than anything in the world!! The one thing I wanted more than anything was to become a Jedi Padawan to a Knight, and he ruined it! He ruined my life!� With these words Bruck started to cry. Bash�ta didn�t go to him as he hoped, instead she turned her back and her shoulders began to shake with silent sobs.

     �We must take you to the Council. Master Yoda will know what to do.� Bash�ta said quietly.

     �What about Obi-Wan? We can�t just leave him there. He is in critical condition!� Cassiono piped up.

     Christe turned to where the boy lay on the bed. His breathing was almost non-existent and his face pale and white. �I think there�s an antidote in my bag. I carry it with me when I go on missions because Nutralic Acid is a common poison used by assassins and others of that sort and I�ve dealt with it often.� Quietly the young woman injected Obi-Wan with the antidote. In a few minutes his breathing began to normalize and his heart rate stabilized.

     �He won�t wake up for a few more hours but for now his condition will not worsen.� Bash�ta said. She turned back to her Apprentice, or her ex-apprentice actually. There wasn�t anyway that Bruck would be allowed to continue training. �Lets go. I�ll get one of my colleagues to watch the boy while we appear before the Council.�

     As they walked out the door Cassiono glanced up at her Master and was surprised to see tears in the woman�s eyes.

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     Less than two hours later everything was decided. The Council had been greatly appalled by Bruck�s actions, although many had not seemed surprised. Because he could no longer be trusted they had decided that Bruck was to be sent to the Kessel Mines. For three years he would live the life of a miner. Then, at the end of his sentence, they would recall and reevaluate him. If they felt he had redeemed himself then Bruck would be removed from the mines and instead sent to work in Agri-Corps. But, if he failed to redeem himself then he would be forced to return to another three years of mining.

     After the Council had dismissed Bruck and Bash�ta they requested that the other three Jedi to remain in the room. Bash�ta would be Bruck�s guardian for the next two hours. After that he would leave on the shuttle with Christe, as Christe�s mission took her near the Kessel mines.

     �We have much to say to you Cassiono, but because your Master is leaving in a few hours we will make it short.� Mace said quietly. He didn�t wait for her to answer but continued, �Now that you are a Healer-Knight Apprentice you are also a Jedi. Because of this we, the Council, have decided that a name change is needed. It would serve several purposes, the most essential being a cover to help keep you safe from your pursuers. Until you are of age, you will remain under our sanctuary and so we must do everything in our power to keep you safe. Your new name will also serve as a family tie, although most of our Apprentices aren�t aware of their family information you, and all those around, already know yours. After much searching and discussion your name has been decided. Are you prepared to accept this change of identity?� Mace asked.

     Cassiono was shocked yet pleased. Now she could truly be one of them, �Yes Master Windu, I am fully prepared to accept.� She replied.

     �Your name Cassiono Alaok, is now changed to Kari�Aun Kenobi � the ancient version of Cassiono.� Mace looked at the girl, �Now go in peace Kari�Aun, and go with your Master.� He said quietly.

     The girl bowed along with Qui-Gon and Christe and the trio left the room.

     �Do you think things will work out here for you Cassi-er Kari�Aun?� Qui-Gon asked.

     The newly named Kari�Aun smiled, �Yes Master Jinn. I think things will work out just fine.�

END�or is it?