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Jedis didn't, couldn't hate things, but Master Shaak Ti was really close to that towards the rain. And the color white.
She was hand over to the Jedi Temple when she was 3 years old, like any younglings but rain on Shili was pleasant, even if she only had a blurry memory of it from her young age or her ceremony of mig'Akul, her bhat . It was the sky's cries, the water and planet cycle, the link between the forest and the clouds...
On Kamino ? Not so much.
Ever since she was placed as Master Jedi in the clone facility on Kamino, it was always rainning and rainning and rainning and she was getting sick of it.
For the white, it was easy to dislike it. After hours of blasters shoutings, harsh orders from Brick and all the feelings of resignation, pain, frustration, desire to fight, impatience and many others from the boys-clones that she couldn't completely stifle out of her mind, the white just only amplified Shaak Ti's constant migraine. And it made her feel like trapped in a very bright box , which was obviously not pleasant.
Though it must be worse for them.
She signs and shakes her head. She still had to give her weekly report to the Jedi Council and she was already trembling with fatigue.
How many living targets do you need today to save even more innocent people ? Of course, they will be ready in a week, since their only duties are to obey orders and get killed in less than two minutes into their first fight.
Ugh, she needed to sleep..
She walked, as mighty as a Master Jedi should, especially in front of the Kaminoans and theirs big eyes that looked into your soul to examinate them, for science. Those Zeers-like people were getting on her nerves too, but she was counting on her sabbac expression particuliary Jedi-Masterish on her sienna face to avoid a diplomatic incident, because of course they were also susceptibles.
Shaak was walking near the windows, contemplating the view of the sea, impossible to differentiate between the relentless grey ocean and the equally devastating sky. She trilled in annoyance, while she thought the rain was matching her inner emotions.
Breathe, Relax, Peace in the Force, lalala, she was almost to her room, Thanks the Force....
When the door closed behind her, she took a lonnnnnnnng meditative breath and turned off the light with a movement of the fingers. The Force would excuse this lazy use for her fatigue.
Easy. Relax.
She sensed a little feeling of compassion and understanding within the Force, which brought a small smile to her face.
It's been a long time since it had whispered to her in her monstrals like a friend, with all the horrors around the galaxy, nowadays-
Her comm beeped, pulling her out of her serenity. She growled an annoyed trill, again but calmed down. The sooner it was done, the sooner she could sleep.
She smoothed her dress and pressed the transmission button. Immediately, the blue silhouettes of her fellow Jedi Masters, seated solemnly in their chairs, appeared to her.
She gave a nod at them and Yoda spoke.
"Greetings, Master Ti. Happy to see you, we are."
"Likewise, Master Yoda. What will be discussed today ?"
"Debate about the most urgent landing site, we will." He signed gravely.
"The separatists have once again invaded Kiros, imposing a harsh blockade on the population, but troops on the Outer border are facing difficulties." continued Mace Windu, eternally furrowed brows. " However, we have a situation on Iktotchi."
Iktotchi ? Wasn't it where..?
"For almost 8 rotations, Master Plo Koon and the 104th Corps of the GAR have thwarted the Separatist's siege on the planet, but for the last 3 hours, we have lost contact."
What ?
"Separatist communications blockade or...?" Begin Shaak Ti, her fists clenched in her sleeves, trembling.
"Know, we do not. Why a debate is needed, That is." he shakes his head, grimacing. "Not enough troops available for all, we have."
Reluctantly, Shaak agreed. She hummed, then asked.
"What was Master Plo's situation at the last communication ? Was he in need of back up ?" Her words were sure and deliberate, but the Council Members didn't hear the bitterness behind them.
"Not really" responded Depa Billaba's hologram, "He even said his troops had made great strides. But that kind of reasoning is irrelevant in war : the situation can change in an instant."
"While we cannot veto aid to Kiros," retorted Obiwan, concerned, "their ability to defend themselves against the Separatists is minimal, and they will surely be enslaved. Like last time."
"And since all planets targeted of the Outer Rim are extraction sites for the production of the droid army, we cannot ignore this opportunity to weaken their materials supply." added Mace Windu.
Shaak sighed. What a debate.
But she couldn't deny she also preferred that the siege of Kiros end fast, they had already suffered too much from the last attack. And a lack of resources meant the possibility of a shorter war—one can dream.
She gritted her teeth but raised her head.
"I trust Master Plo's abilities. Furthermore, I don't really feel any danger surrounding him in the Force, whereas the other situations are truly urgent."
Yoda hummed in agreement but his expression was grim.
"Decided, It is, then. In two, the new clone battalion, will be split. One for Kiros, the other for the Outer Rim." A little pause was made in the Chamber. "Send help to Master Plo, I regret we cannot."
Shaak nodded. "But he will be fine. And would have wanted the support for those causes." She gave a goodbye bow to the Council, "I will take my leave."
And after the council had greet her, she cut off the communication.
Well. Svhau mi Shi-toe.
~~~~
Shaak's night was ruined.
Although she genuinely thought about what she had said to the council, this did not prevent the anguish of ignorance. She didn't know how hypocrite she had been towards the Council but It's not like she could tell them...
Despite two attempts at meditation within a hour, her mind was even less free from fear.
What Jedi am I...
She knew the risk existed. They were at war, It was inevitable. And she would accept it if that was the case, if Plo was.. dead. Because he would have joined the Force. But she despaired of not knowing.
As frustration at herself and the situation grew, she paced around the room, a small object in her pocket haunting her.
She felt a feeling flowing through her, calming her in the Force, and even though she wanted to calm herself, she couldn't.
Relax. Breathe.
Ta'Gar. Just a sign.
A beep echoed. From her pocket.
She took a breath and quickly pressed the button on her comlink.
Instantly, the small hologram of Plo Koon appeared before her.
"Kassura, Khul-myr Dalna."His deep voice resonated in her monstrals and her muscles relaxed slightly. But the sight of him was a little disturbing.
He looked tired, his clothes were still dirty in places, and he had one arm in a harness.
"Plo... D'bhem." She winced. She moved over to the console in her room to have her ke'leh in real size, while Plo looked at her. He was smilling, in a Kel-Dor way.
And now she knew he was alive, she was too and finally relaxed, but still looking for answers.
"What happened ?" she asked slowly. He exhaled hard, from fatigue and exasperation.
"When I last contacted the Council, the troops and myself were preparing for the final assault, but through a cunning trap, they blew up our communications bases. We were ambushed, but Wildfire's heavy unit repelled them." he readjusted himself in his nursing bed, "Fortunately, Wolffe had equipped the entire team with enough bombs that I was worried about the planet's final state." Shaak laughed softly, and he looked delighted.
"What about your arm, though ?" His expression switch, and he looked away. Shaak narrowed her eyes, suddenly suspicious. "Plo ? How did you hurt your arm ?"
"Uhhh.. I slipped ?"
"Plo."
"OK, don't be mad."
"Se'aan."
"I punched a droid, bare hand."
There was a pause.
"You'd lost your lightsaber." "I'd lost my lightsaber."
She pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing. But after a moment, she giggled, much to Plo's surprise.
"Now, I wished I saw Wolffe's face."
Plo chuckled nervously.
"Yeah, I DID have doubts whether he was going to kill me or not when he called me an utrerkov and a jaro'd di'kut but his signature Force was full of prideful awe it confused me." he sneered, "There was a lot of wrath too, especially when I black out."
"Deserved." Shaak yawned, revealing her sharp canines. Plo looked at her fondly, then asked.
"How are you, myr'henn ?"
With someone else, Shaak would have just say fine. But not with Plo.
"Exhausted." She didn't elaborate but Plo pressed her gently.
"Talk to me. Kohto."
"Kamino is.. dull in the Force, except for all the intense emotions of the Tungu-clones !" At her outburst, Plo frowned his eyes in comprehension.
"You see them by their true appearances. Children. Do not deny it."
"I must. Otherwise, I will become insane." Her breathing was heavy and she added with a shaken voice. "I send them to their deaths, Plo." He looked at her gravely.
"Then I'm no better, Shaak." He sighed, but this one was rather gentle.
"You know, when shinies arrive in my battalion, there's always a moment when they talk about you. About how you helped them, supported them, even just looked at them like they were worth something." His expression was tender when he looked back at her. "You do a lot for them, you should know that."
Shaak looked away but his words had ease her. She murmured "Thank you."
"Ke'mees baruk." There was a silence where the two smiled at each other, speaking without words- or the Force. Then she speaks again.
"So now, you are heading back to Coruscant ?" She frowned at a sudden revelation. "Wait, for how long have you been awake ?"
"Uuhh, for a hour, why ?"
"You called me first ?" She tried to sound reproachful, but she couldn't suppress a small smile, "I'm grateful you did but you should warn the Council of your state."
"You were closer." He respond easily.
"Liar or Concussion, dear ?" At that, Plo chuckled.
"Neither : in the Force. I could sense your distress when I woke up. And I didn't wanted to make you wait any seconds more."
"You sensed me ?" She asked incredulously. "From 8 parsecs away ?"
He nodded. "Through our Bond. I was worry about you too, Haat."
He adds a moment after. "And I missed you. A lot."
Shaak Ti looked at him, her expression responding in her place. She raised her hand toward the hologram, and Plo did the same. Their fingers seemed to touch, despite a distance as big as two systems.
It was rather silly, but this sight soothed a little their hearts. Especially when they closed their eyes and concentrated in the Force, to search for the other across the stars.
Especially when their Force signatures did find each others and embraced tightly for a minute before the connection was broken. But that brief moment was enough for them.
For now.
Shaak Ti breathed for a moment after this effort, then whispered, "I love you."
"I love you. Vun okat."
"Don't start."
"I didn't start anything."
"Be quiet."
They laughed softly then they sighed. They had to return to their duties.
"Be careful." She say to him,
"Nagh mah" She deadpan him with a glare.
"I do worry, you punch droids."
"Only once." Plo retorted.
"And last."
"Of course, Khul-myr Dalna." He quickly agree. "Call me if you need anything."
"Aer'eu."
And the transmission ended. Shaak Ti was even more exhausted than before, but her soul was at peace. She thanks the Force for listening to her wish.
And when she finally go to sleep, She thinks about Plo, about how she doesn't regret loving him, even if it sometimes means worrying about him. A day will come when maybe one of them will end up hurt or worse, but the little moments like those will make it all worthwhile.
Even the force approved and by the Och'sa, that was all that mattered.
That night, the Force hummed happily around her.
Smooth. Calm. Peaceful.
And the rain had stopped in Shaak Ti's heart.