The events of Tatooine were now behind them, yet no one aboard the ship truly felt at peace.
Each person carried something heavy within them.
Padmé carried the burden of Naboo. Her people were still trapped under the Trade Federation's occupation, waiting for her return with help that might never come.
Obi-Wan carried grief.
The loss of Qui-Gon Jinn lingered around him like a shadow that would not leave. Even now, he sat quietly near the rear of the ship, saying little.
Anakin carried something different.
He missed his mother.
The excitement of freedom and adventure still burned within him, but now that the journey had calmed, reality had begun to settle in. Every now and then Khan would catch the young boy staring quietly out the viewport, his thoughts far away on the sands of Tatooine.
And then there was Khan.
The weight on his shoulders felt almost unbearable.
Padmé's safety.
The crisis on Naboo.
The return of the Sith.
Qui-Gon's death.
Anakin's uncertain future.
Everything seemed to rest upon him at once.
Khan sat alone in the cockpit, staring out into hyperspace while the soft hum of the ship filled the silence around him.
Part of him still replayed the battle on Naboo.
Qui-Gon's final moments.
The feeling of helplessness.
If only he had stayed.
If only he had been stronger.
Khan slowly closed his eyes.
No.
Regret would solve nothing.
Master Dooku had always taught him that a Jedi must learn from failure, not drown within it.
Still… another thought lingered in his mind.
Shmi Skywalker.
The slaves of Tatooine.
Khan clenched his hand slightly.
As much as he wished he could have stayed and helped them all, he had no right to abandon his current duty. A Jedi could not simply ignite a war against the Hutts because anger demanded it.
But one day…
One day when this crisis ended, and when he had earned the rank of Jedi Knight…
Khan promised himself he would return.
Not just for Shmi.
For all of them.
The Outer Rim had suffered in silence for far too long.
A soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Khan?"
He looked over his shoulder to see Anakin standing near the doorway of the cockpit.
The young boy hesitated slightly before walking in.
"Can't sleep?" Khan asked.
Anakin shook his head.
Khan motioned toward the empty co-pilot seat. "Come sit."
Anakin quickly climbed into the seat, staring out at the endless blue tunnel of hyperspace with wonder.
"It still feels weird," Anakin admitted quietly. "Leaving Tatooine."
Khan nodded slowly. "First steps into a larger galaxy usually do."
Anakin was quiet for a moment before speaking again.
"I already miss my mom."
The words were small.
Honest.
Khan looked toward the boy.
"I know."
Anakin lowered his eyes. "Do you think she'll be alright?"
Khan answered truthfully.
"Yes. Your mother is stronger than you realize."
Anakin gave a small nod, though the sadness remained.
"I just…" He paused. "I wish I could've taken her with us."
Khan's expression softened slightly.
"So do I."
Before the silence could grow too heavy, another voice entered the cockpit.
"So you're the podracer Khan told me about."
Both turned to see Obi-Wan standing near the doorway.
Anakin immediately sat up straighter. "You're Obi-Wan, right?"
Obi-Wan nodded lightly. "Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Anakin grinned. "Khan told you I won the Boonta Eve?"
"He may have mentioned it once or twice," Obi-Wan replied, the faintest hint of amusement returning to his voice.
Anakin immediately lit up with excitement.
"It was amazing! At the start my engines wouldn't even work. Someone sabotaged my pod before the race, but I fixed it and caught back up." He moved his hands excitedly as he spoke. "Then Sebulba tried to force me into the canyon during the second lap, but I used the turbines to spin around him and passed him on the inside."
Obi-Wan blinked once. "That sounds incredibly dangerous."
"It was!" Anakin said proudly. "But it was also the best thing ever."
For the first time in what felt like days, Khan almost smiled.
Anakin kept going without pause.
"And near the end Sebulba tried to ram me again, but Khan told me to trust my instincts. So I stopped thinking and just moved." He looked toward Khan with admiration. "It felt like everything slowed down around me."
Khan folded his arms quietly. "You listened well."
Obi-Wan studied Anakin more carefully now.
"So this is the boy you spoke of."
Khan nodded once.
"Yes."
Obi-Wan could feel it now that he was closer. The Force surrounded Anakin strongly. Wildly. Unlike anything he had ever sensed before.
"They might not accept him because of his age," Obi-Wan said carefully.
Anakin's excitement faded slightly at the words.
Khan looked toward Obi-Wan calmly. "His connection to the Force is strong. I will convince the Council."
Obi-Wan remained thoughtful for a moment before speaking again.
"Yes… I do feel the Force around him." His eyes shifted toward Anakin. "I just do not know if that alone will be enough."
Anakin listened quietly before finally asking,
"If I become a Jedi… will I really get to help people?"
The question was simple.
Honest.
Both Obi-Wan and Khan looked toward him.
Then, despite everything weighing on them, both gave small smiles.
"With that attitude," Khan said, "I know you will be allowed."
Anakin smiled at that, holding onto the words tightly.
Then suddenly—
A sharp alert echoed through the cockpit.
Khan turned immediately toward the controls.
"We're approaching Coruscant."
The blue tunnel of hyperspace stretched apart as the ship exited lightspeed.
And then they saw it.
Coruscant.
The city-covered planet filled the viewport entirely, endless lights stretching across its surface like stars brought down into the world below. Towering skylines pierced through the atmosphere while streams of speeders moved endlessly between them.
Anakin's eyes widened completely.
"Whoa…"
Even Padmé, standing near the cockpit entrance now, looked relieved at the sight of the Republic capital.
After everything they had endured—
Naboo.
The Sith.
Tatooine.
Loss.
Escape.
They had finally arrived at Coruscant.
Khan activated the ship's communicator panel as Coruscant's endless skyline filled the viewport before them. Towers of silver and gold stretched across the horizon, traffic lanes glowing with streams of speeders moving in organized chaos. After everything they had endured on Naboo and Tatooine, the sight almost felt unreal.
The communicator flickered to life.
A small blue hologram of Senator Palpatine appeared above the console.
"Senator," Khan began, exhaustion hidden beneath his calm tone, "this is Khan. We have just arrived on Coruscant. I have the Queen with me. Can you grant us permission to land on your personal platform?"
Palpatine's expression immediately shifted into visible relief.
"Khan," he said warmly, "my dear friend, it is good to see you alive." His eyes softened further. "The Council and I feared the worst after we lost contact with Naboo."
Behind Khan, Padmé quietly listened.
Palpatine continued, "Of course you may land here. I have already cleared the platform and informed my guards of your arrival." His voice lowered slightly. "I imagine you bring grave news."
"We do," Khan answered.
Palpatine nodded slowly.
"Then come at once. We must not waste time."
The transmission ended.
Khan entered the landing clearance codes Palpatine had sent and guided the Nubian starship through the immense traffic lanes of Coruscant. Around them, thousands of ships moved in every direction. Massive Republic cruisers floated in the distance while civilian transports crossed overhead.
Anakin stood near the cockpit doorway staring outside with wide eyes.
"This whole planet is one city…" he whispered.
Padmé looked toward him.
"Welcome to Coruscant."
The ship descended through the upper skylanes before finally approaching one of the elegant landing platforms connected to Palpatine's residence tower.
The Nubian vessel settled onto the platform with a soft hiss.
Outside, Republic guards stood waiting in formation.
The ramp slowly lowered.
Queen Amidala emerged first, now fully dressed once more in her royal attire. The elaborate robes and painted face returned her to the image the galaxy recognized as Naboo's ruler. Behind her stood the handmaidens in perfect formation.
Palpatine himself stepped forward to greet her.
"Welcome to Coruscant, Your Majesty," he said with a respectful bow.
"Thank you, Senator," Queen Amidala answered. "I only wish I had come under better circumstances."
"As do I," Palpatine replied solemnly. "The Senate will be troubled greatly by this news."
His eyes briefly shifted toward the ship as Khan and Obi-Wan descended the ramp together.
Palpatine's expression softened again.
"Khan," he said warmly. "I am truly relieved to see you safe."
Khan bowed respectfully.
"We were fortunate to escape Naboo when we did."
Palpatine studied him for a moment. Even beneath Khan's composed demeanor, the exhaustion was clear.
"And Master Qui-Gon?" Palpatine asked carefully.
Obi-Wan's expression darkened instantly.
Khan answered for him.
"Master Qui-Gon fell during our escape."
Palpatine's face shifted into genuine shock.
"That is… terrible news."
Even the nearby guards exchanged brief looks at the statement. The death of a Jedi Master was not something commonly heard in the Republic.
Palpatine slowly lowered his head.
"The Order has suffered a great loss."
Obi-Wan remained silent, though his hands tightened slightly beneath his sleeves.
Palpatine then straightened again.
"Come," he said. "We should discuss these matters privately."
"Thank you, Senator," Khan answered, "but Obi-Wan and I must report immediately to the Jedi Council."
"Yes," Obi-Wan added quietly. "They need to hear what happened on Naboo."
Palpatine nodded understandingly.
"Of course. Duty first." His eyes then briefly shifted toward Anakin standing near the back of the group. "And who might this young traveler be?"
Anakin immediately straightened under the Senator's attention.
"This is Anakin," Khan answered. "We met him on Tatooine."
"Tatooine?" Palpatine repeated with mild curiosity.
"He assisted us greatly," Padmé added before Khan could continue.
Palpatine gave the boy a polite smile.
"Then Naboo owes you thanks, young Anakin."
Anakin rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
"I just helped where I could."
Palpatine chuckled softly.
"A humble hero. Rare qualities."
Khan then turned toward Anakin.
"You will remain with Queen Amidala and the handmaidens for now," Khan said. "Once I finish with the Council, I will return for you."
Anakin nodded.
"Alright."
Though Khan noticed the nervousness hidden beneath the boy's excitement.
Everything around him was new.
The Jedi Temple.
The Council.
Coruscant itself.
Padmé stepped toward Anakin reassuringly.
"You will be safe with us."
That seemed to calm him slightly.
Soon the groups separated.
Palpatine, Queen Amidala, the handmaidens, and the guards moved toward a long Republic speeder waiting nearby.
Meanwhile Khan and Obi-Wan entered a separate Jedi transport.
As the speeder lifted into the Coruscant traffic lanes, Obi-Wan stared quietly out the window at the endless city.
"What do you think the Council will do?" he finally asked.
Khan remained silent for a moment.
"Honestly?" he said quietly. "I do not know."
The speeder passed between massive skyscrapers, sunlight reflecting across its windshield.
Obi-Wan leaned back slightly.
"After Qui-Gon's death…" he paused, searching for the words. "I relied on you more than I expected."
Khan looked toward him.
"You kept moving forward," Obi-Wan continued. "Even when things fell apart."
Khan lowered his eyes slightly.
"I only did what had to be done."
"That is exactly what Master Qui-Gon used to say."
The words lingered heavily between them.
Eventually the towering spires of the Jedi Temple came into view.
Ancient and massive, the Temple stood proudly amidst Coruscant's endless cityscape like a beacon overlooking the Republic itself.
As Khan and Obi-Wan entered the Temple halls, several Jedi immediately turned toward them.
News had already begun spreading.
Qui-Gon Jinn was dead.
The atmosphere inside the Temple felt uneasy.
Jedi whispered quietly amongst themselves as the two passed through the corridors.
Obi-Wan could feel the looks following him.
Sympathy.
Curiosity.
Concern.
Eventually they arrived before Master Yoda.
The ancient Jedi Master stood calmly with his hands folded within his robes, though his expression sharpened the moment he saw them.
"Master Yoda," Khan said respectfully, bowing his head slightly, "we must gather the Council immediately. There is much to discuss."
Yoda's eyes narrowed.
"Much to report, you have," he said slowly. "Last heard from you we did, when your transmission came." His gaze shifted slightly behind them. "Sent Qui-Gon and his Padawan, we did…"
Then realization crossed his face.
"See Qui-Gon, I do not."
Obi-Wan lowered his head quietly.
The air itself suddenly felt heavier.
Yoda's expression darkened.
"Gather the Council, we shall."
Not long after, the Jedi Council chamber filled.
The twelve Masters sat in their seats overlooking Coruscant's skyline.
Mace Windu.
Depa Billaba
Ki-Adi-Mundi.
Plo Koon.
Yaddle
Oppo Rancisis
Adi Gallia.
Saesee Tiin.
Even Piell.
Eeth Koth.
Yarael Poof.
And Master Yoda himself.
The atmosphere inside the chamber was tense before anyone even spoke.
Mace Windu broke the silence first.
"You requested an emergency assembly," he said calmly. "What news do you bring… and where is Master Qui-Gon?"
Obi-Wan's jaw tightened.
But no words came.
Khan stepped forward instead.
"Master Qui-Gon is dead."
The chamber went completely silent.
Several council members visibly stiffened.
Plo Koon's expression darkened immediately.
Even Ki-Adi-Mundi looked genuinely surprised.
The death of a Jedi Master was rare enough.
But the emotions Khan carried beneath those words made it worse.
"How did this happen?" Plo Koon asked carefully.
Khan drew in a slow breath.
"What I am about to say will change everything."
The room became still.
Yoda's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Speak, Padawan Kage."
Khan nodded once.
"Master Qui-Gon was killed by a Sith."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The word itself seemed to freeze the chamber.
Ki-Adi-Mundi spoke first.
"That is impossible. The Sith have been extinct for a millennium."
"With respect, Master," Khan answered immediately, "I fought him myself."
Eeth Koth leaned slightly forward.
"You are certain?"
"The dark side flowed through him unlike anything I have ever felt," Khan said firmly. "Red lightsaber. Zabrak male. Trained in the ways of the Sith."
Even Piell folded his hands together thoughtfully.
"If the Sith truly returned, surely the Order would have sensed it."
"I believe you encountered a dark side warrior," Ki-Adi-Mundi said carefully, "but jumping to the conclusion of Sith—"
"It was a Sith," Khan interrupted firmly for the first time.
The chamber quieted again at the sharpness in his tone.
Khan immediately steadied himself.
"I apologize, Masters. But I know what I saw."
Before Ki-Adi-Mundi could respond again, Yoda finally spoke.
"Believe Padawan Khan, I do."
The room shifted immediately.
Yoda's voice had become grave.
"Darkness… sensed, I have. For some time now." His ears lowered slightly. "Returned, the Sith may have."
Several council members exchanged concerned looks.
Mace Windu folded his hands together thoughtfully.
"If Master Yoda sensed this darkness as well… then perhaps the Sith have indeed found ways to cloud themselves from us."
"Clouded, the Force has become," Yoda murmured quietly.
Obi-Wan finally spoke.
"The Sith killed Qui-Gon personally," he said, voice controlled but heavy. "I witnessed it."
That alone silenced further doubts.
The room grew tense again.
Finally Mace Windu spoke.
"We will discuss this matter further among ourselves. A funeral ceremony must also be prepared for Master Qui-Gon."
Khan nodded respectfully.
But before the meeting could conclude—
"There is something else."
Mace looked toward him again.
"What is it?"
Khan hesitated briefly.
"During our escape, we became stranded on Tatooine."
Several Masters exchanged brief looks at the mention of the Outer Rim world.
"There," Khan continued, "I encountered a boy named Anakin Skywalker."
Plo Koon tilted his head slightly.
"And why is this significant?"
Khan's expression became serious again.
"His connection to the Force is unlike anything I have ever felt."
That immediately caught the Council's attention again.
"It feels as if he is part of the force itself." Khan continued
"Impossible," Adi Gallia murmured quietly.
"No human child should be that attuned to the force." Saesee Tiin added.
Khan nodded.
"Yet he is."
Plo Koon looked thoughtful now.
"You believe the Force guided you to him."
"I know it did."
Then Khan added quietly—
"But there is one issue."
Ki-Adi-Mundi already seemed to know the answer.
"How old is he?"
"Nine."
Several Council members immediately frowned.
"He is too old," Ki-Adi-Mundi said firmly.
"With the Sith returned, we cannot ignore someone this powerful," Khan argued immediately.
"The boy's emotional attachments are already formed," Ki-Adi-Mundi countered. "Fear. Attachment. Loss. These become dangerous at his age."
"And leaving him untrained is less dangerous?" Khan asked sharply.
The chamber quieted again.
Khan stepped forward slightly.
"If the Sith truly returned, then what happens if they find him before we do?"
No one answered immediately.
"Strong with the Force, the boy may be," Yoda admitted carefully.
"But dangerous, he could become," Ki-Adi-Mundi insisted.
Khan's expression hardened.
"Are we so bound by tradition that we would abandon someone simply because he was found late?"
Obi-Wan glanced toward Khan quietly.
There was conviction in his voice now.
Not recklessness.
Belief.
Mace Windu finally raised a hand slightly, calming the growing tension.
"We will not decide anything yet," he said firmly. "Bring the boy before us first."
Khan slowly exhaled.
"Yes, Master."
The meeting finally came to an end.
As the Council members slowly departed, Obi-Wan looked toward Khan.
"You argued with the Council Masters directly."
Khan gave a tired breath.
"Perhaps I should not have."
Obi-Wan shook his head slightly.
"No." A faint smile appeared. "Master Qui-Gon would have done the same."
For the first time since arriving on Coruscant, Khan almost smiled back.
A/N: Hey guys I haven't written an Author note in sometime, I want to just give a quick thanks to everyone who has stayed around especially after my 3 month break from writing. Your comments and ideas keep me motivated to write more. I hope I can continue to improve both as a writer and story teller. My only wish now is to make something people will enjoy reading. Thank you and may the force be with you all!