"𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠, 𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮. 𝙈𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣."

I ran a hand through my hair for the hundredth time that morning. As I walked the pristine halls of the Jedi Temple, the reality set in that I was about to meet Master Kenobi.

Padawans and younglings stopped and stared discreetly as I walked by. It was a long, nerve-wracking walk to the conference room where I was to meet the Jedi, but the Temple had a calming aura. It felt like the building was telling me to relax and just let things happen.

I finally reached the door I was to enter and sucked in a breath. I walked into a spacious room with large windows overlooking the city. Seats and a holo table were centered in the room. It was simple, much like the rest of temple. Three people turned around to face me and gave me welcoming looks.

"The Antarian Ranger, you must be," one of the Jedi spoke. "Master Yoda, I am."

"It's good to meet you Master Yoda," I said putting on a smile. I remembered the Rangers telling me about Yoda being the wisest and most powerful Jedi. A highly respected member of the council.

"Here to meet Master Kenobi, you must be," he continued.

I gave a silent nod and saw one of the men take a step forward.

"I am Obi-Wan Kenobi," he smiled warmly. "I am glad to have you here with us, Silena."

Master Kenobi held a focused gaze, even though his eyes told me he was always a little distracted. His calm and patient demeanor was relaxing.

"I am Mace Windu," the other man introduced himself.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, masters," I said with respect. "Please, call me Sil. That's what I go by."

"Very well, Sil," Obi-Wan said. "We have much to discuss if you want to be joining me in the war."

After the brief introductions, Yoda and Windu left the room to me and Obi-Wan. He sat down and gestured for me to take a seat.

"I look forward to having you at my side, Sil. The Antarian council talked highly of you," he said.

"Thank you Master Kenobi," I said with pride.

"I was also told that you asked for me specifically," Obi-Wan said. "Why is that?"

He looked at me curiously. I explained that I worked at Dex's Diner before my training with the Rangers. I told him about Dex pointing me in the direction of helping the Jedi and the war effort.

"He was the one who recommended you," I finished.

"Ah, Dex is a good friend of mine," Obi-Wan smiled. "But I sense there is something more."

I pressed my lips together, not sure if I wanted to further explain why I chose Obi-Wan. I decided it was for the best that I tell him.

"Dex also told me about your mission on Ryloth," I explained. "It was because of that I wanted to join you. I want to fight with someone who I know for sure is doing the right thing."

I beat around the bush, but Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. He figured out why I would care about his Ryloth campaign so much.

"You were a slave once, weren't you?" he asked softly.

"Yeah," I replied. My stomach did a flip hearing him say that out loud. It wasn't something I told people, and I wasn't keen on letting anyone else find out. I knew I didn't have it as bad as many other slaves did, but it wasn't a status I liked to advertise.

The memories of slaves in my home city being treated like garbage and forced into rigorous labor made me wince. The trips I took with Enzo to Mos Espa to cater for Jabba's stupid parties entered my mind. All his guests and bounty hunters laughed and ate while chained Twi-leks danced and starved. It wasn't an easy topic for me to talk about which is why I kept it out of conversation.

I looked up to see Obi-Wan's thoughtful gaze on me. I wondered if he could see through my memories.

"It is very noble of you to want to fight for the reasons you described," Obi-Wan said. "And even more so given your history. I hope you will achieve what you wish while fighting at my side."

He flashed me an encouraging smile which I shared. I felt confident in the fact that I had chosen the right Jedi.

"Do you think you we'll be seeing some action soon, Master Kenobi?" I asked eagerly.

"Very," he replied. "This should be interesting. From what my old master told me, an Antarian Ranger never runs from a fight."

I grinned at his response. Obi-Wan motioned for me to get up. He led me out of the room and started to walk the halls of the Temple with me at his side. He talked about his recent battles and history as a Jedi. He also told me about his battalion, the 212th, who I would be meeting soon.

Obi-Wan left me at a balcony and excused himself. The council had summoned him to attend a meeting.

I rested my elbows on the stone edge of the balcony and looked over the city that sparkled in the daylight. A soft breeze pushed my hair in front of me and I let it tangle with my fingers.

"You must be Obi-Wan's Ranger," a deep, smooth voice said from behind me.

I glanced back to see a young man standing at a distance with a smile. His robes indicated that he was a Jedi Knight, but his body language told me he wasn't traditional like the others. He had long hair that framed his face nicely. The scar running down his eye didn't tarnish the cheerfulness written on his face.

"That's me," I said casually since he seemed like a chill guy. I turned my head back towards the view as he leaned against the balcony next to me.

"I'm Anakin Skywalker," he said sticking out his hand.

I moved an arm from the ledge and shook his hand in greeting.

"I'm Sil," I said. "You're Obi-Wan's old padawan, aren't you?"

"That I am," he said smiling. He seemed pleased that I knew who he was. "So what made you want to be Obi-Wan's Ranger?"

Anakin smiled at me and I found myself smiling back.

"He seemed like the best option," I said. "He does have a reputation of being one of the best Jedi there is."

"Well that's debatable," Anakin countered. "A lot of people would consider me the best Jedi. You could've chosen me."

I raised an eyebrow at him in an effort to hide the effect he was having on me. I felt myself heating up at his words and closing proximity.

"I guess you'll have to prove it," I replied giving him a sideways smile.

"I will," he said. "With you fighting in Obi-Wan's battalion, we'll be seeing plenty of each other."

"I'm counting on it."

"Anakin, are you bothering Sil?" Obi-Wan said as he walked over to us.

"I'm just introducing myself, master," Anakin backed up.

"Good," Obi-Wan said. "I just received word that Master Even Piell was attacked. We are to rescue him from the Citadel."