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English
Series:
Part 3 of (Into the dark) To the stars we come from
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Published:
2026-08-02
Updated:
2026-09-03
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20,377
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5/6
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43
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Orthodoxy

Summary:

“Thank you, Masters,” he says one last time, with a bow too short and shallow to be truly respectful. And then, ignoring the rising protests, he turns his back and walks away, weight lifting from his shoulders with every step.

⌘

Anakin has completed his responsibilities as a Jedi general and is preparing to leave the Order and reunite with his family. He hopes that he will have a chance to rest and heal from all the terrible things he’s seen and done in the name of duty. A place where he and his loved ones don’t have to spend every day fighting for their lives.

The ceasefire between the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems has held for weeks now, and treaty negotiations are underway. Even though Palpatine is still in the wind, many are hopeful that the peace will last.

Not everyone is as optimistic about the future, however. Some individuals believe they know what is best for the galaxy and the people in it, regardless of what those people have to say. And they are desperate to protect their own.

But choices born of desperation rarely lead to good outcomes.

Notes:

I hope yall are excited for this fic, it’s what turned this whole idea from a vague desire to write something where obiwan falls during the war to an actual story I planned on posting.

Just a warning, this is probably the most Jedi critical fic I’ve written. I still don’t think there’s any character bashing (except possibly a little bit with Yoda, but he’s not completely evil or anything, and I think his motivations make sense for what he’s going to be doing). But there’s going to be some…unethical behavior on their part in this fic. Maybe give it a skip if you're a huge Yoda stan.

The lovely inahandfulofdust, as well as some other commenters, suggested taking a peek at some of the councilmembers' feelings and perspectives and such, but the thing is, that would kind of mess up some of how I want to present things in this next story arc. So what I think I’ll do is set up another fic at the end of the series where I’ll collect various POVs of earlier events. Because it would be really fun to see, for example, shaak ti’s or plo koon’s pov for some of the stuff I have planned to be entirely in Anakin’s pov, but only AFTER certain other story beats have happened. Ya know, to prevent spoilers.

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter 1: The Sermon

Summary:

Sermon – religious discourse; a written or spoken address on a moral or religious matter

Notes:

Ok so like it feels really weird referring to the Separatists as “the Confederacy” bc I’m American and like that word has soooomuch baggage here, even though it literally just describes a type of governing system that has a looser centralized government. But like I have to call them that cause if they’ve succeeded in seceding and have formed their own little polity that’s like vaguely in between the Republic and Hutt territory, then they’re not really separatists anymore, right? Like they’ve finished separating and are now trying to be their own thing.

Idk it’s just weird, but I’m trying to roll with it.

Chapter Text

Selected headlines from news sources:

981 ARR, 2nd Month, 29th Day —

“Jedi uncover scheme to end democracy.”

– Galactic Associated Press



“Palpatine – Traitor!”

– The Daily Planets



“The Chancellor, an Evil Jedi? What next!?”

– Intersystem Inquirer

*

981 ARR, 3rd Month, 7th Day —

“In-person peace negotiations begin. Staunchly neutral planet Aslanu offers capitol Alassia as location for proceedings.”

– Midrim Times



“What is a Sith? Everything you need to know about the anti-Jedi!”

– Hissfeed

*

981 ARR, 3rd Month, 13th Day —

“Senators Padmé Amidala and Riyo Chuchi announced as primary Republic ambassadors to the newly recognized Confederacy of Independent Systems.”

– Galactic Associated Press



“Naboo: Core or Rimworld? How do we know where a planet’s loyalties lie?

– Coruscant Daily



“In absence of other heirs, former Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi petitions for inheritance of the Serenno countship under non-traditional adoption laws.”

– D'Astan Sector News

*

981 ARR, 3rd Month, 17th Day —

“Joint press conference held by Republic and Confederacy officials out of Aslanu capitol.”

– Corusca Post



“Peace treaty draft begins — Negotiations continue.”

– The Tri-Sector Journal

*

981 ARR, 3rd Month, 20th Day —

“Attack of the Clones? Clone troopers defecting to Separatists!”

– Intersystem Inquirer



“CIS congress fast-tracks legislation to offer citizenship to clones seeking amnesty.”

– Midrim Times





981 ARR, 3rd Month, 24th Day —

Confederacy of Independent Systems press conference (attendance open to Republic journalists).

Held in Naboo capitol Theed, aired at 1200 local time (14:20, Coruscant Federal Time).

Clip taken from 48:32 into broadcast. Section features former-Jedi CIS official, General Obi-Wan Kenobi, answering questions on the topic of Jedi, “Sith”, and “The Force”.



Transcript of clip:

[General Kenobi Stands at a podium facing a crowd of gathered reporters and journalists. His clothes are similar to the layered robes that Jedi wear, and are a uniform slate grey color except for his belt and cloak, which are a darker shade. Behind him the ornate marble steps leading up to the main building of Theed University can be seen. He seems to be looking directly into the camera as he points to someone in the crowd.]

Gen. Kenobi: Yes, from Midrim Intersystem Post.

MIP: But what is a Sith?

Gen. Kenobi: Historically, Sith have been those people with Force-sensitivity who believe in the ideology of the Sith. [Smiles.] A tautology, I know. But allow me explain.

As I was taught by the Jedi, and by what I observed of the Sith I have met [Editor’s note: Count Dooku of Serenno self-identified as a Sith], the ideology of the Sith primarily involves the drive to accumulate power, an affinity for violence, refusal to extend compassion to others, and putting oneself and one’s own desires above all else.

Sith also use the Dark Side of the Force, meaning they draw power from the strength of their emotions, rather than from the serenity and sangfroid of the Light Side of the Force. It is generally believed that the Dark Side is fueled specifically by negative emotions, such as anger, fear, hate, and pain.

All stories we have of past Sith characterize them as cruel, bloodthirsty, and ruthless, willing to sacrifice anything to achieve their desire to subjugate others. Current-day Sith have done little to dissuade that supposition.

Unnamed Reporter (interrupting): So, do you consider yourself a Sith?

Gen. Kenobi: I’m getting to that.

While the evidence so far is quite damning, I have reason to believe that the subject is actually more nuanced than was previously thought.

Most of the knowledge we have on Sith comes from the Jedi Order’s archives. W— They hold a number of Sith documents and artifacts, much of which were collected in the centuries following the formation of the Republic, when it was thought that the Sith Order had died out.

However, I have recently gained access to a number of historical records regarding Sith that date back far prior to the Ruusan Reformation, and have discovered something of a bias within the Jedi’s collections of Sith history.

All of what we knew about ancient Sith indicated them to have been highly dangerous and fundamentally selfish, a grave threat to the galaxy’s citizens, both in the actions born of their personal beliefs and intrinsically, from the corruption they suffered in their use of the Dark Side.

But there seem to be a number of sources in this newly discovered repository that refute this assumption. Documentation implying the existence of people calling themselves Sith who helped others, who still followed the call of duty and compassion. People who protected their own and lived by their passions, and still spread charity to their neighbors.

I found records that describe individuals who channeled the Dark Side of the Force via positive emotions; love, joy, excitement, even amusement. [Smiles] I personally have discovered the latter claim to be true, to my great shock and relief.

Rather than the two monoliths we have today of the unitary Jedi Order and the single Banite lineage of the Sith, in the past, there seemed to have been a great number of communities of Jedi and Sith with varying creeds and belief systems—potentially even some that lived and worked together.

With regards to your question… I continue to share many of my personal beliefs on ethics and comportment with the Jedi, but I can no longer be considered a member of the Order because of the major tenets of the Jedi Code that I have broken and knowingly continue to break.

I do find myself reluctant to accept the identity of a Sith. The people who have claimed that title in the present day have wrought indescribable pain on the entire galaxy, and nearly succeeded in destroying everything our society was built on.

However, words and their meanings change over time. I know the Jedi Order has been referring to me as a Sith since I revealed to them that I have used the Dark Side. Perhaps I may be able to amend some of the negative connotations the title has garnered.

Any further questions?

Galactic Associated Press: The details the Jedi have released of these other Siths’ plans is horrifying. The end of democratic representation, consolidation of territory into an empire, unfettered access to member planets’ natural resources, further militarization, and the legalization of slavery. Do you expect people to believe your claims of benevolence when you stand in the shadow of such a legacy?

Gen. Kenobi: I know it will take time to earn the public’s trust. I can only hope that my past and future actions will speak for themselves. I certainly have no desire to follow in the footsteps of the Sith who came before me. I want the people who call this galaxy home to live safely, freely, and happily.

Corusca Post: Will you be recruiting others into these ‘New Sith’ teachings?

Gen. Kenobi: I…don’t know. I hadn’t considered it. I am open to working alongside anyone who wishes to help bring about peace and prosperity to the galaxy, regardless of what they call themselves.

Coruscant Daily: Do you have anything you’d like to say to your former associates among the Jedi?

Gen. Kenobi: I in no way consider the Jedi to be my enemies, and would be more than happy to work jointly with any of them in the future. We all want the same thing. I hope that one day you can come to accept this.

[Clip ends]