Of Requests and A New Branching Journey

Bail could not believe it. Back when he had last saw Obi-Wan Kenobi, the man may have left with an air of defeat, but there was still hope in his eyes. Now, though, the former Jedi Master seemed to have been broken over time, his tone weary and lacking confidence in his abilities.

Nevertheless, Bail could not give up. Only Obi-Wan could be able to return Leia to Alderaan safely and without compromising her true importance. He would have to find out where she was being held, first, and then he would ask Obi-Wan again in person.

"Bail..." Breha muttered softly as Bail turned towards his wife.

"If Obi-Wan cannot, then we both might know someone else who could be trusted to retrieve Leia back."

Bail narrowed his eyes at his wife's words. "I know that Leia's existence should be kept a secret, but in case we didn't have a choice, we should ask the only other Jedi we know of, one who has defied the Empire and lead various successful assaults on it before."

"You're suggesting we contact Cal Kestis, the Jedi with known affliation to the Partisans?" Bail asked his wife as she nodded.

"While he is alligned with Saw Gerrera, and neither of us are fond of his extremist ways at times, he is still undeniably a remarkably capable and dedicated Jedi. We could trust him."

Bail thought about it deeply. It was true that both of them had knew of this powerful Jedi, who had been able to defy the Empire numerous times and was even rumored to have survived a fight with Darth Vader and took down the Imperial Inquisitors, and while he might be aligned with Saw, this Cal Kestis had never been involved in the more extreme methods employed by the leader of the Partisans.

At the same time, could he risk Cal learning of Leia's true importance? Could Cal Kestis be trusted?

"If anything, he could also help Kenobi get back into action so they could work together to rescue Leia. It's worth a try, Bail. We've never seen Obi-Wan like that, but I've seen the expression of passion and dedication in Cal Kestis's face. He is a brave man, and he could be trusted."

Bail sighed as he nodded.

So be it.

Cal gave a deep breath as he processed everything he had been through.

He had freed Dagan Gera, an ancient Jedi from the High Republic era, believing he would help him in his crusade against the Empire, only to find yet another Fallen Jedi. 

Dagan was clearly powerful, even with his right hand deprived. Cal could still handle him the way he was now, but he was sure that Dagan was still weak. If they were to fight it out with Dagan having grown stronger, Cal didn't want to imagine what would happen to him.

Cal had been training too over the course of five years since he had destroyed Master Cordova's holocron. Before Cere had left, Cal had been given some Jedi manuals that allowed him to improve his Jedi skills. He also had developed his own fighting style, but the recent fight with Dagan taught him just how much he still had to grow.

Tanalorr... Who would have thought that the planet that was considered a myth by most people was actually real, and located at the Koboh Abyss of all places. A hidden world where no one could access meant so many possibilities that could be great against the Empire.

Unfortunately, Cal had no idea how he was going to find Tanalorr. What he found only lead him to Dagan, and Dagan was clearly in no mood to be willing to help him out.

"Cal Kestis?" Cal turned around to find a man wearing a hooded robe approaching him, the man removing the hood to reveal a tall old man with tan skin and dark hair. Cal's eyes narrowed as he recognized him as Bail Prestor Organa. Rumors existed of him as a leader of a resistance movement, which Saw had been privy to and told him at certain occasions.

"Senator Organa." Cal greeeted neutrally.

"May I humbly ask for your help? I am no fan of the Empire, as Saw is well-aware of, and have made efforts to resist."

Cal nodded cordially as Bail gave a deep breath.

"Please. I am in need of the assistance of a Jedi on the level of a Jedi Master. You have accomplished various feats and displayed capabilities that would rank you as being above a normal Jedi Master. Not quite close to the greatest of the Jedi, but still enough."

"You've been keeping tabs on me." Cal said as the Senator nodded.

"Yes. I was interested in you for your ability to survive Vader and dispatch the Inquisitorius, but then you joined Saw Gererra, and I must admit I do not approve with the Partisans way of doing things. That said, I also know you only do missions for them when you find that the results are worthy and the collateral damage is limited."

"Trust me, Senator, I wouldn't entirely disagree with you on that." Cal nodded at Senator Organa's understanding but rebuking words towards the Partisans methods. He too had never been comfortable with killing innocent lives, and did his best to avoid as much collateral damage as he could.

"First, I would like to tell you about the story of Anakin Skywalker. Do you know him?"

"Most Jedi do. Anakin Skywalker was one of the greatest Jedi heroes during the Clone Wars." Cal responded in kind to the Senator's question.

"Before Anakin Skywalker's... passing, he had twins. Twins with his secret wife, Padme Amidala. Their names are Luke Skywalker and Leia Skywalker." Cal's eyes widened. He was aware of Anakin's reputation as the so-called Chosen One, after all. If Anakin had children, did that mean-

"I adopted Leia as my daughter and gave her the name of Organa to ensure her safety. However, recently, my daughter was kidnapped, with traces detailing the Galactic Empire and the Inquisitorius. I am here to plead for your assistance. Master Obi-Wan Kenobi is guarding Luke Skywalker, but he has been... worn out over the years."

Cal shook his head. Yet another Jedi who's been broken by Order 66, but this time, the Jedi in mention was also one of the greatest of his time.

"I ask for you, knowing you are the only other Jedi active, to rescue my daughter. Do this, and I promise you I will give you any support you need in the future."

"Is she aware that she is the daughter of Anakin Skywalker?" Cal asked the Senator before him.

"No. It's better for her to not know the truth yet, but I promise you this. I cannot tell you everything, but before Master Yoda and Master Kenobi went into hiding, they told me that the Skywalkers are the hopes of the Galaxy. If you help me, I'll allow you to be there for Leia when she inevitably starts to become a Jedi."

Cal could tell the Senator was reluctant with that offer, but he didn't sense anything evil from him. He was truly concerned for his daughter and against the Empire. Besides, if Leia was the daughter of someone as powerful as Anakin Skywalker, she would make a great Jedi in the future.

"Very well, Senator. I accept your request."

Senator Organa gave him a grateful smile.

"You won't regret this, I promise. Now, my agents have tracked the bounty hunters that kidnapped my daughter to Daiyu. Before you go there, I would appreciate it if you would try to reason with Obi-Wan."

Cal nodded. "Where do I find him? Where is Luke Skywalker?"

"On the very same planet where Anakin Skywalker came from. Tatooine."

Tatooine? Cal had heard many rumors about that Planet, and none of them were good. It was infamous for it's slavery and being the center of the Hutt Clan. It seemed he was in for a rough ride.

"Alright, Senator. Point me to Master Kenobi, and I'll try to convince him, but I'll like to board my own ship."

"Of course. The Stinger Mantis. I was able to gather information on you through the help of some agents sighting you in Koboh. The ship has been fixed by your friends. It has now returned to it's truest glory."

"Hey, Cal! You're back! Wait, what's a Senator doing here?"

"He's against the Empire, and he's asked me to rescue his daughter, who was kidnapped by the Inquisitorius. I have to get involved. It's important. Trust me. Tell Saw that until I am finished rescuing Leia Organa, I won't be participating in any mission." Cal said grimly to Bode.

"Wait, what? His daughter was kidnapped by the Inquisitorius? Why?"

"Because while he's a member of the Imperial Senate, the Empire deep down is suspicious of him. They have had to deal with his rebellion movement. Senator Organa also has strong ties to the Jedi Order. She was kidnapped to make him turn towards any Jedi he knew of."

Bode frowned, but there was some sympathy in his eyes as he nodded. "Alright. Take care, Cal. It's been nice working alongside you, man. Be looking forward to further missions. I'll tell Saw about it. Don't worry. He seems to have a particular trust towards you. He'll understand."

With that, Bode stood up. "I'll contact the Partisans to get me out of Koboh and take me to the headquarters. You stay safe, bro."

"Yeah, you too."

The two shook hands and patted each other in the shoulder before Bode left.

"Alright. Be seeing you around then, Cal."

As Bode left, Cal turned towards Senator Organa.

"Again, thank you so much. I am in your debt. Also, here." 

The Senator gave him a portable device of some kind.

"A Beckon Call device. It allows you to remotely access and control your ship, allowing you to bring it to you wherever you are. It'll be useful."

Cal took it and nodded appreciatively.

"I'll be seeing you on Tatooine, then, Cal Kestis. Do be wary of the Inquisitors presence there. I've heard the Third Sister and the Fifth Brother are there."

Cal gave a small smile. "Don't worry, Senator. I'll manage. I've bested 2 Inquisitors already. I could take out more."

The Senator smiled. "Nice to see that a Jedi confident in his ability and capable of fulfilling the duties of a Jedi is still there." 

"Well, hope survives, Senator."

"Indeed."