Kanan Jarrus - Warrior Jedi

Year: 19 BBY

Location: Kaller

Caleb has made it back to Kaller in an Eta-2 Jedi fighter. He made sure to remove all evidence of anything that had happened on the Outpost. So in a glorious explosion, he took out the entirety of Brighthome and used it as a distraction to leave unnoticed. The dimensions of the explosion disrupted all scans of the Venator-class star destroyer and allowed Caleb to jump to hyperspace without them realising it. Something had changed, something fundamental and Caleb had felt it. 

The arrival of the Imperial Clones was a pivotal moment, signalling Caleb that Darth Vader's Master had become interested in him. Very interested. Most likely, Caleb was a 'disturbance' in the Force that the Sith Lord could feel. So his attempt at trying to fake his death had failed, at least as far as the Sith Lord was concerned. It was also for this reason that Caleb chose to engage them head-on and give Janus Kasmir the headstart he needed. Leaving would not have helped. He had to destroy Brighthome and sow as many doubts as possible. 

Caleb cursed his age and the fact that he wasn't fully grown yet. If he had been fully grown, or even two years older with more training, he would have defeated Darth Vader 100%. Now, he has at least halted his progress tremendously, and it is questionable whether Vader would ever grow to become what he was meant to be. But if he didn't die, it stood to reason that Vader would grow stronger in the Dark Side, so Caleb had to grow as well. That's also why a certain someone was now so interested in Caleb. 

Caleb made a mental note of what needed to be done. And at the very top of that list was to hide his presence in the Force, like the Sith had so obviously done. After that, he needed to learn how to survive on his own and navigate the galaxy's criminal underworld. And then, there was another big goal he had, which would take more training and experimentation. But more on that later.

He met up with his 'friend' and after doing so, Caleb and Janus talk about what they both have planned and what they will do now. The fact that Caleb was willing to risk his life to save him doesn't leave the Kalleran emotionless. He may be a smuggler and opportunist, but he has a conscience and wasn't a bad person, per se. What's more, Janus is aware of the skills Caleb possesses and how useful he would be for his endeavour. 

"So what are you going to do now?" Janus asks. 

"I will have to lay low for a while, but not only that. I have a few things planned, which require me to learn how to navigate your type of crowd. I was hoping you would be willing to teach me how to 'survive', show me some contacts, the right people and the wrong ones, and so on and so forth."

"Quite a lot you're asking me there, kid. You know, I'm not charity."

Caleb raises his eyebrow and hits Janus with a knowing look. 

"What? It's true."

"That's true, but you know as much as I that you are aware of my skills and how useful they would be for your line of work. A former Jedi helping you smuggle and steal, that's more than enough reason to accept, and we both know it," Caleb states. 

"Well, now that you mention it, I wasn't thinking about it till now, I don't have a crew for a specific job I was about to pull off... if you are interested, we could... You know?" 

"The Jedi Order is dead. I'm a fugitive, with few but important goals at the moment that require me to learn parts of your craft. You didn't run off with the loot just now. So, I agree. However, I have limits; if I find that you are taking advantage of the weak, I'll stop you. Can you agree to that?" 

Caleb, despite thinking practically, was a former Jedi. He was not out to save the galaxy, because he knew that was not possible right now. But he was already working towards it; Janus simply didn't know it. 

"Heh, of course. But before that, you need to change. Jedi are hunted more than we thieves, so how about a new look and wardrobe?" Janus asks. 

"A good idea. I have an idea already. Do you have material I can use?"

"What for and what kind of material?"

"I'm going to build myself a suit. A suit and helmet to hide my features and equipment. Darth Vader gave me the idea. He was attacked when he went to Brighthome, because no one knew him."

The truth was, of course, a bit bigger. With the Dark Lord feeling Caleb's disturbance, simply changing his mane wouldn't cut it. He had to 'become' and look different, totally different. 

"Hmm, I think there are some things you might find useful."

So Caleb got to work. He cut off his hair, ditched the robes and destroyed his Jedi communicator. Then he arrived at the workshop, where Janus provided him, and he began assembling the various metallic and mechanical parts. He had a clear image in mind, and Darth Vader was more of an inspiration than he realised. The kyber crystals he stole, although not as many as they were before his fight with Vader, needed to be hidden, yet close to him at the same time. 

He used the Force in tandem with his hands, levitating the various parts he assembled. He would improve the armour as time passed and he obtained better materials, but this would suffice for now. He worked without rest for hours and deep into the night until he finally finished what he wanted. After having the body and leg parts of his suit, Caleb moved on to the helmet and the final piece, the weapon he would use most of the time now. Naturally, he would not forget who he is and lie about being a Jedi, which is why he will keep his masters and his lightsabers with him. Hidden, but on him. 

He assembled the helmet and finally the weapon. The weapon was a solid metallic disc, hollow in the centre, with several concentric rings on the surface. Caleb disassembled the lightsabers he acquired from Brighthome and removed their kyber crystals, placing each one in the respective socket he had prepared for it inside the disc. Doing this is very dangerous and potentially lethal, since if one of them reaches critical mass, like it did on Brighthome, it would cause a chain reaction and most likely kill him. But that wasn't important right now. 

Caleb closed the disc again and used the Force to check for any abnormalities or potential damage, using shatterpoints. He smiles for the first time in the last few days and finally activates it. 

*VROOOM*

The edge lights up, igniting like a lightsaber blade would. Despite not being aware of it, Caleb created something akin to an Identity Disc, also known as a Light Disc, which is the most fundamental piece of equipment for programs in both the Game Grid and the Tron system. However, he is unaware of that, and it serves only as a weapon and holder of the kyber crystals, with no additional purpose. 

Having finished everything, Caleb dons his new suit. 

[Picture]

"Well, you look the part of a dangerous bounty hunter. No wonder you took so long. Quite impressive. Now you only need a new name," Janus says as he sees him. 

"You're right."

"Well, with the new Empire still hunting for Jedi and Caleb Dume officially being dead... I'll call you kid until you get a new name for yourself."

"Kanan."

"Kanan?"

"Kanan Jarrus."

"Heh, I suppose I should feel flattered. Why Jarrus, though?"

"You helped me when no one else would, and you are going to introduce me to this new life. It makes sense."

"You ready for the job then?" Janus asks with a grin. 

"Yes. Let's go."

.

Janus and Kanan sneak into a warehouse in another settlement. They hide the patrols and reach the door, which Janus opens, giving them access inside. They are there to steal a valuable shipment of IG-RM droids for a profitable black market resale later. Kanan, as he renamed himself, realises that he isn't bothered about becoming a common thief. But he admits that this is what he is supposed to do. He will learn from Janus and gain experience. Moving around in the criminal parts of the galaxy requires training and knowledge. Both of those things he can gain from accompanying Janus. 

"Just a couple more, I think. We don't want to get greedy," Janus tells Kanan. 

"A little late for that, perhaps."

The lights go on, and several armed Kallerans point their weapons at the duo. Before them stands Gamut Key, the leader of Kaller. 

"Janus Kasmir, I place you under arrest. Didn't think I'd recognise you under that helmet, did you?" Gamut Key says. 

"Well, arresting me is your prerogative, Gamut Key. You have that authority, the authority to put a war hero on trial for 'misplacing' a few droids," Janus says. 

"War hero? Since when are you--"

"Or, we could make a deal. A plea bargain, if you will. You let me go... AND ARREST THE JEDI INSTEAD!"

"What?" 

"Ugh," Kanan groans, having expected this outcome. 

"I'm telling you, the kid's a Jedi Padawan! C'mon, Gamut Key, you must remember! You met him that time! Although he's wearing armour, take off his helmet... and tadaa..."

"I don't know. He looks... different," Gamut Key says. 

"I'm thinking Kasmir's right! I'm thinking that kid attacked me with one o' them Jedi light-saver swords!"

"Tapus, you rat! Shoulda known you were the one who blew my op!" Janus shouts. 

"Sorry, Kasmir. I'm thinking a reward's a reward."

"Yeah, well, the Empire's reward on a Jedi is worth five times all these IG-RMs combined. So let me keep the droids I 'literated.' Call it my modest share. Then the rest of you can claim the bounty and the credit for capturing the traitor," Janus suggests. 

Kanan goes through with the farce and allows them to arrest him and place him in a cell. All of this was so that Janus could leave with the droids, but Kanan was aware that he had done what he did to help both of them. It wasn't strictly necessary, but it was harmless for now. If he didn't, they would both have caused a bigger stir and gotten more attention for themselves, and that wouldn't have been a good idea. However, as he sits there and waits for something to happen, Kanan places his hand on the wall. 

He perceives the shatterpoints and allows the Force to surge through the weak points. He has gotten very good at this. A moment later, the entire wall shatters like glass and gives way for Kanan to leave outside. He lifts his helmet and his light-disc towards him and walks out. As he takes a few steps, he sees Janus approach him with one of the IG-RM droids they stole. He looks at Kanan, surprised. 

"Huh? How did you get out?"

"Trying to imprison a Force user with some skill in such a lousy prison is folly. What are you doing here? I thought you'd arrive sooner." Kanan asks. 

"Breaking you out."

"..."

"..."

"Stop him!"

"Open fire!"

Gamut Key, Tapusk and the guards arrive to see Kanan escape. Seeing the guards about to fire at them, Kanan and Janus run off, making their way aboard the Kasmiri. After they catch their breath, both of them look at each other and start to laugh. 

"Haha, you know what, this tactic worked so well, we should pull this con on every world in the Rim!"

"No, thank you."

"Hehe, fine, fine. We have other options. Now, let's get out of here. Kaller's gotten a bit hot for my tastes," Janus says. 

"Agreed. Did you sell the Jedi fighter already?" Kanan asks. 

"Of course. It's been a few hours, and I couldn't leave it here, after we escape, could I?" Janus says, proving that he planned on breaking Kanan out. 

"Good, so where are we going?" Kanan asks. 

"Wherever we want, my friend. First of all, we need to sell these droids, though. Gamut Key and Tapusk will be looking to find us through them."

So the two outlaws leave Kaller. The partnership has proven profitable from the very first moment, on Brighthome and now on Kaller as well. As Janus said, they sell the IG-RM Dorids to fund Kashmir's next scheme. Kanan enjoys Janus's presence as he is a good man at heart and enjoyable to be around. He learns about being a thief and a smuggler and gets to know the underworld of the galaxy, just like he planned. Despite what Kanan thought at first, he realised that leading such a carefree life can be pretty enjoyable. But he never forgets his primary objective. 

Over the weeks and months, the two grow closer and become genuine friends. Where this will lead them, no one can tell. But Kanan knows that very soon, he will have to leave Janus' company again.