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It all started because Jango decided that maybe his clone army needed the perspective of the Jedi from the Jedi.He didn't know why he thought this might be important, not when he wanted to see Jedi dead. But something urged him to do this for his clones, if he did nothing else. So, when his oldest clones were nine, he made arrangements to get them into a pen pal program.
Or rather, he got the commanders and many of those who had the potential to be a captain into a pen pal program.
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Dear Rex and Cody,
I am told you two are close, so I hope the fact that this first letter is for the both of you is okay. I would be tell you the same things.
As you know, I am a Jedi. A Jedi Master, to be specific. Since I have not finished training my padawan, I had to pass some tests and prove that I am master level in one area and far above the expected Knight level for my age in two others. The tests were very thorough.
I am what we call a 'crisis negotiator'. I mostly get sent into situations that are in crisis, where it is very like that things will fall apart, and there might be fighting, kidnapping, explosions and so on, instead of just the usual negotiations and diplomacy. I am good at defusing situations so I only have that happen about half of the time.
I have a Padawan learner, that is, a student. Padawans primarily learn from one master who takes them on missions until they are senior padawans- usually around eighteen or species equivalent. They still take classes that many Jedi can volunteer to teach. I teach a few myself while my Padawan takes classes, though he is to be promoted to senior padawan soon.
Anakin is... well, he's not had the usual Jedi upbringing, but I'll get into that another time. For now, he's just a typical padawan pushing boundaries. He's annoying but I love him that way anyways.
I grew up in the Jedi Temple. Unlike most Jedi, I was brought to the Temple when I was a baby, so I have no memories of anything else. I've explored the galaxy, and I am happy with my life as it is.
My hobbies are singing, reading, baking, writing, and teaching. I also occasionally make things with clay or glass when I have the time and patience for it.
For my job, I like training with my lightsaber in the different forms. I prefer Soresu these days, which is a defensive form, and incidentally the skill I have at the level of a master. But I was trained initially in Ataru, which is an offensive form focused on acrobatics and evasion. I also enjoy meditation, as it can bring me a lot of peace instead of just being something I have to do.
I am quite happy to answer any questions, especially with so many misconceptions of the Jedi out there. I look forward to our correspondence.
~Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi
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Dear Master Kenobi,
(That's how we're supposed to start this, right?)
We (Rex and I) decided we are gonna write this first one together, but maybe the next ones we should do separate. We are a bit nervous about talking to someone new, someone we have never even met.
Yes, Rex and I are close. He was struggling with training classes and I started helping him, and now everyone says we're just about inseparable.
I do not know what to say about our lives. There is so much to more to the galaxy than we thought. So much to explore, but limited resources.
We are really happy to have this opportunity to learn more. Your letter was nothing like we were expecting when we found out about this.
I have read a lot about the Jedi... but some of the things you said... you are so normal. You did not act like you are above us or anything. Cody and I were really surprised.
So... could you tell us about what Jedi are, what you do, and your beliefs like we have never heard of you before? What can you do with the Force? Are the rules strict? I would like to know more and I do not want to just write some the things we have learned only to learn that those things were false. You are the real thing. You will know better than some random people on the Holonet.
Could you tell me more about meditation and how it brings you peace? With all that I am currently learning, I am overwhelmed and stressed. As well as worried. I would appreciate more ways to manage that.
I don't think we have much more to say. But thank you for taking the time to be our pen pal.
~Rex and Cody
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Dear Rex,
I shall have to answer your questions out of order. I hope you don't mind.
Jedi are Force users. That is, we have a connection to the Force, which is kind of like magic, but it's not. It just is. It is what binds every being in the galaxy, and is in everything.
Through the Force, people who are Force sensitive (able to use it) can do many things. Basic skills including picking up emotions others are projecting, enhancing their body (such as for jumping or endurance), levitation, and an additional set of senses that we would normally not have otherwise.
As it is, the Force is pure. It exists. But when one reaches into the Force with negative emotions, the Force is twisted into something Dark. That is where the Dark side comes from. A normal person who is always angry, always hating, never letting go, never moving on... a person who is possessive and obsessive, who is scared to lose what they perceive as theirs... That is one thing... those people can be abusive in many ways, and many end up killing those around them.
A person with the Force going Dark that way? It never ends well. The Dark side feeds into their emotions, and they hold on tighter, reaching for the Dark side more and more, in a vicious cycle as they sink deeper and deeper. With the power of the Force... the abuse is far worse. They torture, they kill.
The Sith Empire of old wanted to rule the galaxy and see the Jedi, the main people who stood in their way, dead.
The Jedi believe in avoiding such tragedies. That we can control ourselves and ensure that we do not stoop to such levels. The Jedi believe that we are meant to serve the Force by listening to the things it tells us and shows us, and help all those in need to the best of our abilities.
The rules are not as strict as people think, but they are always caught up on two things. The Jedi Order does not typically take in younglings to be Knights any older than six, for many different reasons, though we will offer training in the basics. So, almost all Jedi are raised as such from a young age, and many call us baby stealers for it.
We do not steal babies or younglings. Even babies who are the victims of abandonment and abuse have a procedure. We talk to families and give them all options, and discuss how close of contact they can have with their child. Many parents decide it would be too painful or might distract their child, so they opt to not leave their contact information with the Order, giving their child a clean break. Others might be in contact the entire time. Most go for a middle ground of the option of their child to contact them as a padawan or a knight, when they are old enough to start making the choices themselves.
The other rule that is often misconstrued... We have to have control of our emotions. We cannot let our emotions affect us for more than just the risk of the Dark side, but because we are well known to the galaxy. Losing control would reflect badly on us at best. In a negotiation where we are the mediators we cannot show any inclination to one side or the other or we will be accused of biased.
We also have to let go. We vow to serve the Order and the Force, to put others first. We cannot just save one person and sacrifice the people we are suppose to save, no matter how important that person is to us. If there is no way to save Anakin without throwing the mission, I will have to let go and finish the mission. It is not easy. We are not heartless, after all.
But it would go against our beliefs, our vows, to do otherwise. It would put us closer to the Dark side if we held on too tightly to keeping those we love alive over others.
And it is for that reason, we do not marry. Because we cannot have a marriage that is what the galaxy expects. To vow to put another person above all else goes against the vows we make as Knights. We have relationships, and we have bonding ceremonies, and some will say they're married because that's the best way to explain their relationship, but most are not open about it. It's not exactly safe for enemies to know who is important to us, and sometimes... sometimes a non-Jedi partner will get bombarded about the relationship not being a good one... at best. About how this isn't a real marriage and so on. It is depressing, but it is what it is.
I think I have lectured you enough about the Jedi for one letter, so I will leave this here.
What kinds of things are you good at? I am sure I can come up with some things you might like based on that.
~Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi
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Dear Cody,
You may call me Obi-Wan.
Meditation is about mindfulness and being in the moment. It is for self reflection and inner peace.
The most traditional and well known way to meditate is through clearing your mind. It can be difficult and hard to manage, however, especially for those who are not used to self discipline or have minds that are hard to quiet.
I'd suggest giving it a try first. You first will want quiet. I usually kneel, but sitting any way works just as well. One of my friends can lay down and meditate just fine. When you're ready, breathe in for a count of seven, hold for a count of seven, then let it out for four. There are other breathing patterns that work, of course, but that is the one I find most effective for myself, though you may find another is best for you.
Another way to meditate, is to use sound or sight. You can focus on the sound of rain, or on the sight of a single candle flame. I can send you resources if you would like.
A less known way but no less effective is walking or moving meditation. Walk very slowly to achieve the same ends. Or practice fighting forms slowly. When you have trouble sitting still, these are effective ways to achieve the same goals.
There are more difficult in depth ways to meditate but I'd like you to try these ways first. But if they are difficult, you will find the other methods at least interesting and possibly easier to accomplish than others might.
A lot of people in the galaxy think that meditation is not the best thing because they don't like slowing down. They think it's something that is not needed. But slowing down and breathing can be very important to one's health, especially mentally. You cannot think if you are constantly stressed. Just breathe for a bit and let it all melt away and it will come easier.
Meditation is usually advised to be an hour, but since you're new, I'd suggest trying for five and increase in increments of five as you're comfortable. There is also the fact that slowing down for five minutes is better than nothing in the end.
I hope this is good enough. I am used to teaching meditation in person where I can guide my students through the beginning stages and monitor how they're doing.
What is your favorite food? What is your favorite part of your training? Anything else you're comfortable saying?
Your group is so mysterious I'm not sure what we should be talking about. I am always interested in learning new things.
~Obi-Wan.
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The responses were full of gratitude, stories, and questions. Obi-Wan was thrilled that they were so open minded and had such thoughtful responses. Rex and Cody were thrilled he was treating them so normally and patiently, giving them lessons over letters they would never get elsewhere.
Obi-Wan continued to exchange letters with Rex and Cody for the next year.
Then he discovered Kamino and with the planet, a clone army.
Then the war started.
Then Obi-Wan was appointed to the Council.
That led to him staring at the Commander who had just introduced himself and the captain next to him... they were to be his battalion.
Rex and Cody were clones. So much of their correspondence made a lot more sense now.
Unfortunately, Anakin broke the silence with his usual awkward ways, and Obi-Wan lost his opportunity to ask about it right then and there.
Neither of them brought it up. Not at first. They were too busy learning to work together, with Rex proving to be the only one able to control Anakin in anyway aside from Obi-Wan and Cody.
Then came the day that Anakin was Knighted and given his own troopers, with Rex in charge at his request.
That was the day that Obi-Wan finally decided to talk to Cody and Rex about it, even though none of them had exchanged letters since before the war had started.
"You two were my pen pals," Obi-Wan stated quietly after Rex joined him and Cody in the office.
"Yes, sir."
Obi-Wan gave Cody a look. "Please just call me Obi-Wan here. There's no one here to hear you. I'd like to consider you both friends after so many months of exchanging letters."
Rex walked over, uncertain. "You... do not mind that we did the letters?"
"No, I do not. And I know other Jedi are just as happy to have been getting to know their commanders and other troopers through letters before actually meeting them."
"It was nice getting to know you too... it made the transition far easier. It also allowed us more understanding so we could help everyone else adjust."
"Since I wasn't what was expected, and I imagine most Jedi aren't what was expected either."
"Not at all," Cody agreed. "We just... weren't sure how to bring up the letters."
"Neither was I after the initial surprise. But I would like to be friends. I have told you quite a bit about myself I don't normally tell people after all."
Rex nodded. "You did... Makes dealing with C-General Skywalker weird since you talked a lot about him."
Obi-Wan chuckled. "I am sorry, but it does seem to have helped you figure out how to handle his... antics."
"That's a nice way of putting it," Cody muttered under his breath. "He's a bit much."
"He is, but he is also shaping up to be a good Jedi. If he can ever learn certain lessons."
"I'm sure he will. You're a great teacher, and he does know the teachings... just doesn't always apply them."
Obi-Wan smiled.
They didn't talk about their crushes on Obi-Wan or his own fondness for them. They didn't need to. It would fall into place by the end of the war. For now, this was enough.
Years later, the war was ended thanks to the strong camaraderie that came of having exchanged letters for a year. It gave many commanders something to hold onto when they had nothing else (particularly the commanders of the Coruscant Guard). It opened communication between Jedi and clones far more than it would have been. It meant that things were noticed and handled earlier. It meant that no one fully expected the united front that was clones and Jedi against the Sith in the final showdown once they had discovered his identity.
And then, Obi-Wan, Cody, and Rex quietly moved in together and went on with their lives, forever enjoying their relationship that was started thanks to a few simple letters.