Miscommunication
"And you're sure of this?" asked Obi-wan.
"Absolutely Master Kenobi." affirmed the clone commander through the hologram projector. "They were bending blaster bolts. I almost didn't believe it, but they wiped out those clankers like it was nothing. Any idea what it might have been?"
"That sounds like the Blazing Chain pirates. But they've never ventured that far out of the Unexplored Regions. And their specialty is ship to ship combat." Said Obi-wan, placing a hand on his chin in thought. "I shall look into this. In the meantime, just continue doing your best Cody."
"Of course sir." replied the clone before terminating the call, leaving Obi-wan alone with his thoughts.
"What would Blazing Chains pirates be doing so far into the Mid-Rim?" Obi-wan asked himself, staring at the map of the galaxy in front of him.
"What's troubling you Master Kenobi?" Obi-wan turned to see Ahsoka joining him at the map table.
"Ah, Ahsoka. I'm trying to think what Blazing Chains pirates are doing in the Mid-Rim. They almost never leave their territory in the Unexplored Regions, and only ever for raids on the fringe of mapped sectors of the galaxy." said Obi-wan, pointing to the appropriate parts of the map. "And unless they've changed their tactics drastically, they board and capture enemy ships to add to their fleets. They have no business on a battlefield."
"Maybe they're after something specific, and our battle just happens to be in their way?" suggested Ahsoka. "It's hard to predict someone's actions unless you know about them. What are the Blazing Chains pirates?"
"It's certainly possible. We don't know much about the Blazing Chains pirates except how to fight them." admitted Obi-wan. "They're a collection of pirate fleets that use the Force, and that's pretty much all I can remember learning of them. It's likely the Archives have more information."
"Pirates with the Force?" asked Ahsoka. "I thought the Jedi and the Sith were the only groups trained in the Force."
"Oh no, the Force is everywhere, and many planets developed their understanding of it separately. Many faded, or were eliminated by the Sith, or joined the Jedi Order at some point over the years, but many still persist to some extent, like the Green Jedi of Correllia, and all use the Force differently." said Obi-wan. "If I remember correctly, the Blazing Chains pirates use the Force to control blaster bolts. They're feared for their marksmanship, though a good lightsaber makes short work of them."
"Control blaster bolts? That sounds a lot like what Master Tyro uses." said Ahsoka, remembering her meeting with the enigmatic Jedi's Kaleesh Padawan.
"Master who?" Obi-wan turned his head to Ahsoka in confusion. In all his years in the Jedi Order, he had never even heard of such a man. And someone who used the Blazing Chains seemed memorable from that description alone.
"Master Tyro. I ran into his Padawan a few days ago." explained Ahsoka. "Apparently they've been off-planet training in solitude for years and only recently returned. Kygeetu never called it Blazing Chains, but she did mention using the Force to control blaster bolts. It sounded interesting."
"Indeed." muttered Obi-wan, deep in thought. "Ahsoka, what can you tell me about this Master Tyro. I'd like to meet him."
Ahsoka shrugged helplessly. "Not much. He's old, he hasn't been to Coruscant in forever, and he apparently knows Lady Ciaran."
Obi-wan gave a heavy sigh. "Of course he does. I suppose I shall have to ask her if I want to know more. Thank you Ahsoka."
"No problem." said Ahsoka casually. "Do you think if I asked Master Tyro, he'd teach me some tricks? Because controlling blaster bolts seems really useful."
"I'll be sure to ask when I find him." laughed Obi-wan. He turned to leave, dreading his coming meeting with Lady Ciaran.
XXX
"Why Master Kenobi, how rare for
you to seek
me out." said Lady Ciaran, speaking loudly enough that Obi-wan could hear her through the door. The protocol droid outside opened the door for him, and he showed himself in.
"Lady Ciaran." he said, bowing slightly to be polite. She wasn't wrong, he usually wouldn't go out of his way to be teased about his past romances, which Ciaran seemed to have latched onto like a Rancor devouring prey. "It's business I'm afraid."
"I'm surprised Master Yoda decided to trust you with this." she said seriously. "I would have thought I impressed upon him the need for absolute secrecy. You may tell him it will be ready soon."
Obi-wan blinked several times, taken aback by the information. Master Yoda was dealing with Lady Ciaran in secret? Whatever that was, it seemed above his paygrade, and certainly not why he was here. "No, no I'm here for something else completely."
"Oh. Well then, forget you heard anything. I'd hate to have to kill you." said Ciaran with a gentle smile that was more unnerving than reassuring. "Well what have you sought me out for, hmm?"
"I was told you were in contact with a Master Tyro. I need to ask him some questions." said Obi-wan.
"I'm surprised you know of him. He's a rather reclusive man." said Ciaran. She was obviously fishing for more information, but Obi-wan needed answers, so he'd play her game.
"Ahsoka encountered his padawan the other day, which is how I found out about him, and more importantly his connection to both the Blazing Chains pirates and you." elaborated Obi-wan. "I was hoping he'd be able to tell me more about the Blazing Chains pirates. They were spotted deep in the Mid-Rim, and I'm curious as to why."
Ciaran tilted her head slightly as if confused, before grinning like a cat that had caught itself a bird. "Ah,
that Master Tyro. Well I'm afraid you've just missed him. He's left the planet again, and not even I know when he'll return again. I'll be sure to inform him that you've been searching for him, and to tell you when he journeys back to Coruscant."
"It's strange. Most Jedi think of the Temple as home. I've not known many Jedi to wander off for so long like that, and stay for such a short period of time when they do return." said Obi-wan.
"Well, he is very serious about his studies of the Force. It's part of what makes him so interesting to talk to. He told me he's found that the hustle bustle of worlds like Coruscant interfere with his connection to the Force, so he tries to avoid them as much as possible." said Ciaran, nodding sagely.
"Well he certainly sounds interesting." said Obi-wan, digesting this new information about the mysterious Master Tyro.
"Interesting?" asked Ciaran with a tone Obi-wan knew all too well. "Should I mention to Siri that you're trying to get close to someone else? And another Jedi at that? Why, I wonder how she'd react to such a scandal."
Obi-wan audibly groaned. "I'll be taking my leave now. Thank you for your time." he said, trying to maintain some veneer of professional diplomacy.
"Any time." said Ciaran with a casual shrug. "I always enjoy getting new tidbits of gossip to share with Satine. She has so many interesting stories of your time together." Obi-wan winced as he walked out of the door and headed back to the Temple. With Master Tyro being a bust, he'd have to dive into the Archives to see if any Jedi Masters of the past had decided to learn more about the Blazing Chains pirates than just how to repel their boarders and shoot down their ships.
AN: That Master Yoda thing was purely Ciaran messing with Obi-wan. She got the reaction she wanted. Also:
<3
