Chapter Text
That was the last time Jason was letting Roy anywhere near something that glowed in a transparent stasis chamber. Sure, Jason thought his best friend would keep his hands, an engineer’s hands, an archer’s hands off an unknown glowing object. Apparently, it was too much to ask. Especially when it was Jason standing next to him and not Kori. Now, had it been Kori, Roy’s hand would never have made it up past his hip. But it was Jason. Jason’s luck and Roy’s unrestrained curiosity. A lethal combination, just ask anyone who has come up against the Outlaws.
Jason sighed as Roy’s babbled apologies filtered through his helmet followed by a string of curses as the glowing orb dimmed. Jason looked around. They definitely weren’t in Kansas anymore, not that they were anywhere close to Kansas to begin with. Nope, the Outlaws had stopped off on a lightly populated planet to refuel and stretch their legs when some locals had started jabbering on about some mystical cave. Stunningly beautiful, apparently. Kori had wanted to take a look, the princess being the only one to understand what was being said. Roy had hauled Jason along, not that Jason protested much. Just the amount he was expected to. And the cave was beautiful, Jason would admit, right up until the glowing orb. There was never anything beautiful about a glowing orb.
Roy disagreed. Kori wasn’t in the vicinity. Now they’re not standing in a cave.
“Jay,” Roy called, shifting his bow and quiver.
“Yeah,” Jason drawled as he tilted his head to look at the archer. Helmet giving nothing away.
“Should I touch it again?” Roy looked at the dim orb floating in front of them.
“Can’t hurt,” Jason shrugged. Roy reached out and poked the orb. Nothing happened, not that Jason was surprised.
“We should take it with us,” Jason said. Roy promptly plucked the orb out of the air and stuck it into a small compartment at the base of his quiver. Patting it before turning back to Jason.
With a nod, Jason finally allowed himself to really look around. The room was lit naturally thanks to the large chunk of roof missing, the stone long since crumbled away. Sand, rock, and dust as far as Jason could see. Definitely not any Kansas Jason had ever been to. Large statues lined the room, some broken, and others depicting warriors. According to his helmet and the fact that Roy hadn’t dropped dead, the atmosphere was breathable. With a click and soft hiss, Jason removed his helmet and took a breath of dull, dusty air. It was peaceful, for all that it was barren. A look at Roy confirmed the same thing, whatever this place was, they were safe. Well, alone, and as safe as they could be. Jason was nothing if not realistic.
“How far do you want to scout?” Jason asked.
“Sit tight,” Roy said, “I’ll get up high and take a look around, then let you know.”
“You’re not going anywhere by yourself,” Jason snorted as he started after Roy, long legs catching up quickly. Roy laughed as he knocked shoulders with Jason. It wasn’t long until they found a good vantage point and started to climb.
****
The comm message came through early in the morning cycle. Early enough that Obi-Wan was still drinking his first tea of the day. It was a message from the Council requesting a holocall at his earliest convenience, which for Obi-Wan was right then. There was never any time later in the day. A quick response and the call went through. Obi-Wan greeted his fellow council members respectfully as Mace dove into the formalities. Obi-Wan finally focused when his name was called, multiple times by Mace’s dour expression.
“Apologies Masters,” Obi-Wan murmured with a slight bow.
“A disturbance in the Force, sensed I have,” Master Yoda hummed, “closest you are to the location.”
“Vrogas Vas,” Obi-Wan muttered to himself, it was the only planet the 212th were close to at the moment.
“Yes, there are ruins of a Jedi Temple there,” Mace said as Obi-Wan nodded, remembering his lessons as an initiate.
“Begin there you will, find the disturbance, I hope,” Master Yoda nodded.
“What exactly am I looking for?” Obi-Wan asked, knowing full well he wouldn’t get an answer even as Yoda cackled.
“Know not I do, only that go we must,” Yoda nodded and Obi-Wan withheld a sigh.
“May the Force be with you,” Mace called an end to the meeting and the Council blinked out.
Obi-Wan looked down at his tea, thankfully still warm enough to drink. It would be a quick mission and Obi-Wan planned to meditate on it later. After all they still had a day’s travel to the planet, plenty of time to consult with his men and the Force.
An interesting feeling arose in Obi-Wan. It wasn’t bad, no, he had plenty of experience with bad feelings. Anticipation. It almost rang in the still, recirculated air. He closed his eyes and reached for the Force. Yes, that was definitely anticipation, giddy anticipation. Obi-Wan breathed.
****
The transport ship touched down within view of the temple ruins on Vrogas Vas. There was no point in attempting to hide their approach, the landscape was too vast and desolate for any type of subtlety. Unlike Tatooine, Vrogas Vas was not only sand and dull beiges but striking red rock as well. The Jedi who built the temple used it prolifically. It made the ruins more ominous, spilling red across the land.
Obi-Wan led Ghost Company off the transport shuttle and towards the ruins, steps sure in the shifting sands. Cody and the vode fanned out behind him. Obi-Wan had argued valiantly for this to be a solo mission, as it was strictly in regards to the Force, but Cody quickly overruled all his well-crafted arguments.
Obi-Wan stretched his senses as they approached the ruins. The anticipation had been building since they stepped on the transport. Now, the Jedi wouldn’t be surprised if the members of Ghost Company could feel it. The men were certainly acting, spirited, enough. Obi-Wan already caught Cody shooting the men subtle gestures to restrain themselves. Not that Obi-Wan could blame them. This mission was a veritable vacation compared to all the others. Not that Obi-Wan truly believed it would remain that way. The Force seemed far too interested in whatever situation they were walking into.
Obi-Wan halted outside the crumbling doors and listened. There. Towards the back of the temple he could sense two distinct lifeforms. There was nothing hostile about them, at least, not yet. However, there was a muted energy surrounding them, something Obi-Wan couldn’t quite understand. Obi-Wan flashed a hand signal to the men and they proceeded to move towards the back of the temple.
Waxer sprung the first trap before Obi-Wan could warn him. The ground shook and dust flew as a piece of a statue came tumbling down, a thin wire connected to it. Silence settled as the dust did. Cody held up a fist, cutting off whatever was about to come out of Waxer’s mouth. It was then Obi-Wan felt it, the warning in the Force. Anticipatory and strained. Obi-Wan reached for his lightsaber but quickly moved his hand back as the feeling in the Force stretched tighter at the action. He signaled for Cody and Ghost Company to keep their blasters lowered. Obi-Wan hoped it meant whoever they were coming up upon would be willing to talk. It certainly would be a nice change of pace.
Obi-Wan passed through the cracked threshold first, senses locked on to the two beings they were coming up on. Obi-Wan paused, Ghost Company following suit as he looked down, stepping over another rudimentary trap. He moved forward more slowly after that. They reached the end of the hall with no incidents, the stone doorway in front of them was partially collapsed. Only one man would fit through at a time. Obi-Wan stroked his beard, calculating the risk he was willing to take crawling through the opening.
“Sir, we can scout for another way in,” Cody reasoned.
“A direct approach would be best, I think,” Obi-Wan hummed and then moved forward to shimmy through the opening.
The room Obi-Wan shuffled into was lit by another hole in the crumbling, domed ceiling. Obi-Wan didn’t get the chance to take a good look at it, but it did provide excellent lighting for the weapon pointed at his head and the red helmeted individual on the other end.
“Hello there,” Obi-Wan remained still, face placid as he heard the clones scrap through the entry behind him.
Cody was at his shoulder a moment later, blaster raised and aimed at the red helmet. A second weapon had been drawn just as quick, this time aimed at Cody. Obi-Wan quickly signaled for the rest of Ghost Company to keep their weapons down. The men hesitated, but complied, much to their annoyance.
“I am Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, do you understand what I am saying?” Obi-Wan smiled as the helmet nodded.
“Excellent,” Obi-Wan smiled, “would you mind lowering your weapons, we mean no harm.”
“Him first,” the sharp scoff crackled out from the helmet. The red glinting in the light as it nodded towards his commander.
“Would it be too much to ask for you both to lower them at the same time?” Obi-Wan’s mouth curled into a wry smile.
Amusement echoed through the Force and it was certainly not coming from Cody. Obi-Wan took it as a good sign, truly better than he could hope for.
“So, what, we gonna lower them on three?” the helmet cocked to the side, an air of challenge aimed at Cody. Obi-Wan felt his commander bristle, although he showed no outward signs of affront.
“Alright, fine,” an exaggerated sigh left the helmet, “one, two –.”
“Three,” Cody finished and both weapons lowered.
“Well, would you look at that,” surprise and disbelief weaved through the Force as the weapon formerly pointed at Obi-Wan was holstered.
Although he couldn’t see Cody’s face due to the helmet, Obi-Wan felt the commander’s matching surprise as well. They had never come across someone who kept to their word in a standoff. Not so easily at least.
“Thank you,” Obi-Wan smiled and decided to push his luck, “now, would it be even more to ask your friend to come down and join us?”
A gloved hand twitched towards one of the holsters strapped to a leg. Obi-Wan’s eyes remained fixed on the being in front of him, they didn’t waver for a moment towards the other being perched above in the shadows of the collapsed roof. Ghost Company shifted behind him, sand crunching under boots.
“Why are you here?” the gloved hand gestured around them.
“I’ll take that as a ‘no’ to your friend coming down,” Obi-Wan smiled at the rather unsubtle change in topic.
“This place is a wasteland, nothing as far as you can see,” arms crossed over a broad chest, “so, why are you here?”
Obi-Wan studied the being in front of him, the Force quietly whispering for truth. It had been so long since the war started, so long since Obi-Wan heard the Force call for honesty. Obi-Wan would listen. Right after he made sure there was no potential for threats.
“If you would put your trust in us one more time and call your friend down, we truly mean no harm,” Obi-Wan placated, “I will tell you and I believe we can help you.”
Obi-Wan stayed open and relaxed as he felt himself being surveyed. Passing the inspection, the red helmet dipped slightly and Obi-Wan heard the scuffle of limbs descending stone. More red entered Obi-Wan’s line of sight. Much more red. Red armored suit, red accents on weapons, and hair much redder than Obi-Wan’s. The man’s weapon was slung over his back, but Obi-Wan could make out at least three different knife handles stashed on the man’s body. The face was young, though. Framed by that red hair, he couldn’t have been any older than Anakin.
“Hey man, Roy Harper,” a freckled smile lit up green eyes as Roy held out a hand, Obi-Wan clasping it in his own.
“For fuck’s sake Harper,” the helmet growled.
“Come off it Jay,” Roy chuckled, “when was the last time anyone acted this nice after you held a gun to their head, oh, that’s right, never.”
The helmet, Jay, growled again. The sound suddenly cut off as Roy rapped his knuckles against the forehead of the helmet.
“Come on,” Roy cajoled, “take it off.”
“I will if they do,” the helmet nodded towards Ghost Company.
Cody took the initiative and promptly removed his helmet, his brothers quickly following. Obi-Wan watched, amused as both Roy and Cody shot the blank helmet of Jay a smug look. Albeit, his commander's was politely veiled. Obi-Wan felt confusion ripple through the Force once all the clone’s helmets were off. But Roy’s face was still smiling and Jay hadn’t so much as twitched. However, it took another slap to the shoulder and unintelligible grumbling before gloved hands finally removed the red helmet.
“Jason Todd,” the deep, rough voice echoed in the still air.
“It is a pleasure to meet you both,” Obi-Wan gave a slight bow.
“Yeah,” Jason drawled, “I’m sure it’s a real pleasure. Now, you wanna explain what you and the quadruplets are doing here?”
“Of course,” Obi-Wan smiled congenially, “would you care to move somewhere a bit more comfortable, I’m afraid it is a lot to explain.”
“No,” Jason’s voice was sharp and even Roy seemed disinclined to move, following his partner’s lead.
The clones shifted at the harsh tone, tense in a way that just wouldn’t do. At least, it wouldn’t help the two men in front of him be more reasonable.
“Very well, as I said, I am Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi,” Obi-Wan said before turning to each of his men, “this is Commander Cody of the 212th and troopers Waxer, Wooley, and Boil.”
Each man nodded as he introduced them, stepping forward as they came to stand in a semi-circle before Jason and Roy. A move which had both men stiffen, but no weapons were drawn. Obi-Wan breathed and focused on Jason again. The man’s intense teal eyes shifted and analyzed Obi-Wan and his men. His men held up admirably under the scrutiny, having endured much more intimidating figures. But, Obi-Wan couldn’t help but feel there was something lurking beneath the surface of Jason Todd. He would have to meditate on it later. For now, the Force remained calm and Jason finally nodded in return.
“So, you’re a military outfit,” Roy said with a raised brow.
“Yes,” Obi-Wan acknowledged, puzzled and concerned, a sentiment he could feel shared by the clones. Where were these two from that they didn’t recognize Obi-Wan or the 212th? Anticipation grew in the Force and Obi-Wan was starting to feel this wasn’t going to be a simple mission after all.
“We were the closest to the planet when I received a call from the Jedi Council asking me to investigate a disturbance in the Force,” Obi-Wan watched both men carefully.
There wasn’t a flicker of recognition on either face, but also no confusion in the Force, just intense focus. Whoever these two were, they were skilled enough to keep their emotions in check on what should be a relatively high pressure situation. After all, they were outnumbered and apparently had no knowledge of what was going on or where they were. Yet, there were very few indicators of true stress. Obi-Wan’s interest was certainly piqued.
For once, Obi-Wan held his tongue. He would tell Jason and Roy the truth, expand on what was already said. But first, it seemed he would need some clarification as well. However, Obi-Wan didn’t think Jason would react well to being questioned. But, it was needed. He could not help them if he didn’t have all the information. Obi-wan needed to decide quickly the best way to get them to talk. He apparently wasn’t quick enough.
“Does any of that mean anything to you?” Boil cocked his head towards Roy.
“Nope,” Roy grinned back, voice popping.
“You don’t seem that shocked,” Jason eyed Boil.
“Most know us on sight and if not, they have heard of us,” Boil shrugged, “you two didn’t so much as twitch.”
“That famous are you?” Jason smirked.
“We’re the best,” Boil boasted, “and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, especially the 501st.”
Obi-Wan withheld a sigh, Jason did not as Roy held up a fist of solidarity. The tension broke though and with a few words, Jason was leading Obi-Wan and the clones back to his and Roy’s camp.
****
Jason knew they weren’t on the same planet they had been on with Kori, but a completely different universe? That was a different beast all together. It made them rely on these people’s good will. Something that could very easily be taken away. Especially since they were dealing with some sort of military faction. Jason caught Roy’s eye as everyone situated themselves, they would have to play this smart.
Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Jedi Master, whatever that was, seemed much more inclined to help them than fight. Something Jason wasn’t particularly known for, but would use to his advantage. Anyone who had the strategic advantage and took the path of negotiation was either a moron, a bleeding heart, or powerful enough by themselves to not see much as a threat. Jason didn’t think Kenobi was a moron. The man was far too calm and patient to be labeled that.
Jason had caught shrewd eyes studying him more than once. It didn’t bother Jason, he’s been under worse scrutiny. No, it was the fact Kenobi looked at him like he wasn’t a threat. Jason couldn’t remember the last time someone looked at him like that. If ever.
“This planet got a name?” Jason asked once everyone was seated more or less comfortably. Jason and Roy with their backs against a fallen pillar.
“Vrogas Vas,” Kenobi said, “we are in what was once a Jedi temple.”
“Right and you’re a Jedi Master?” Jason couldn’t keep the suspicion out of his voice.
“I am, as well as a member of the Jedi High Council,” Kenobi said.
“The same Council who requested you come here,” Jason’s voice was flat. He glanced over at Roy, the archer meeting his eye, on the same page.
“Yes,” Kenobi acknowledged, at least aware enough to understand it looked suspicious to Jason and Roy.
“We were not waiting for you,” Kenobi stated, “in fact we were a full day away from the planet. A Council member felt a disturbance in the Force, the 212th were the closest.”
“What’s the Force?” Roy’s question caused Kenobi to smile and the troopers to stifle groans. All except the commander, whose face never changed even as he unsubtly chastised the others.
“The Jedi believe the Force is what binds us all together, every living thing throughout the galaxy,” Kenobi intoned, a glint in his eye Jason recognized from Alfred. This man thoroughly enjoyed giving educational lectures, wanted or not.
“The Jedi are Force sensitive beings who are raised and trained to use the Force under the Jedi Code,” Kenobi paused, blue-green eyes shifting between Jason and Roy.
“Sounds like a religion,” Roy said, shifting where he sat next to Jason.
“A philosophy,” Jason mused, cutting Kenobi off, “religions have deities that are worshiped, philosophies are states of being, a way of life.”
“Most see it as interchangeable,” Kenobi stated, voice appreciative. Jason shrugged, eyes skirting away from Kenobi’s gaze.
“So, being force sensitive allows Jedi to feel when something is wrong?” Roy sounded impressed, “I can imagine a few times that would’ve been helpful.” The archer snickered, knocking shoulders with Jason.
“Jedi can do a whole lot more than that,” Waxer snorted, head shaking in amusement.
“The ability to sense the Force does provide beings with certain,” Kenobi paused thoughtfully, “abilities.”
“They can move stuff with their minds,” Waxer’s eyebrows waggled and Jason’s raised in response.
“Read thoughts, feel what others are feeling,” Boil tacked on, eyes alight.
“And pretty much do the impossible,” Wooley finally spoke up.
The commander, Cody, huffed in resignation at his men’s gleeful looks. Jason and Roy shared a look, faces seemingly disbelieving. Two could play at this game. Or, well, five in this case. Jason doubted Kenobi and Cody would play along. Then again, Kenobi seemed to have a mischievous side. At least, he definitely liked having the upper hand. Sucks for him that Jason has always been underhanded.
“So, what you’re saying is Jedi are empaths, telepathic, telekinetic, and have some pre-cognition?” Jason drawled, eyeing the identical faces.
Blank eyes and furrowed brows met his statement. Kenobi’s eyes were shrewd once more as they studied Jason. He didn’t fidget, projecting calm into the so called Force. Roy was similarly nonchalant beside him.
“You are taking this surprisingly well for one who does not know where he is,” Kenobi commented, hands tucked into his sleeves.
“Well,” Jason gave him a sharp smile, “you’re not the first person we’ve met with abilities like that.”
Kenobi nodded as if he had come to that conclusion beforehand. Or maybe the Force told him. Either way, Jason’s skin itched.
“Yeah, we know a gorilla that can read minds,” Roy commented, breaking the stare between Jason and Kenobi.
“What’s a gorilla?” Wooley asked, intrigued.
“It’s an animal,” Jason interrupted Roy before they completely lost any control over the conversation. Kenobi shot the troopers a stern look, pulling the men back into line. Wooley straightened and apologized.
“The Force guided us to you, to help, in any way we can,” Kenobi’s face was serene, kind in his certainty.
“Alright,” Jason’s smile grew as Roy chuckled beside him, “what do you know about interdimensional travel?”