Obi-Wan’s message was answered immediately and Qui-Gon’s hologram wavered in front of him.
‘I wanted to be sure that you reached the Temple safely,’ Qui-Gon said.
Obi-Wan thought what did he think I was going to do, jump ship or disappear in central Coruscant. But he merely replied ‘ I arrived in one piece and they are looking after me very well.’ Then out of politeness he added. ‘How is it in Aurian?’
Qui-Gon leaned forward in his chair in a gesture that told Obi-Wan that he was preparing to tell a long story. Obi-Wan thought longingly about his supper. Qui-Gon explained that he was housed in some of the finest lodgings he had experienced in a long time. He had been somewhat concerned when he first met the locals at the port. They were a small race, only up to his elbow and he was afraid that he might not be able to fit through the doors – like Jemba the Hutt. Both he and Obi-Wan smiled at the thought. His fears turned out to be unfounded, Mauna Kea the capital city where he was staying was very cosmopolitan and there were plenty of outsiders as big if not bigger than he.
Aurian was a wealthy planet, they had an abundance of natural resources which were well maintained by the local Governor Mal Acky. There were many outsiders working under contract on the planet, but there were strict local rules governing their employment and they were well cared for. Many tradesmen had come to live in Mauna Kea because of the wealth. Immigration was closely monitored and only the most righteous were allowed to live there. Of course, they had to be wealthy as well and be prepared to give more than half their profits back to the people of Aurian. Even with this stiff taxation, businessmen could still make a healthy profit and so Mauna Kea was an attractive place to trade.
His supper forgotten at this stage, Obi-Wan enquired about the crime rate in Aurian. It was low, almost non-existent, Qui-Gon had ensured him. The few criminals that existed had been transported of the planet either to their home planets or to prisons elsewhere. The Governors of Aurian paid the neighbouring planets to house their criminals. Still, they maintained a large well-trained army and police force, primarily to provide employment and also to offer protection should they ever be invaded. Obi-Wan remarked to Qui-Gon that Aurian sounded like Utopia.
Obi-Wan again felt a pang of sadness. He really couldn’t explain it, one part of him wanted to be at Qui-Gon’s side and another said he didn’t deserve to be there. He was so confused. He had hoped that Qui-Gon wouldn’t brief him about the mission, that would be more than he could tolerate. He was not to be spared! Even as he thought this, Qui-Gon outlined the nature of his mission.
A nearby planet Laydan had been run by a cruel, parsimonious tyrant called Niv-Lag who had wasted the planets resources while, at the same time, built himself a large fortune. About twelve years previously there had been civil strife and after a bitter battle with great loss of life, Niv-Lag had been overthrown and the leadership fell to the leader of the rebels Thom RosAntu. Niv-Lag had many fellow conspirators who had helped him flee the planet and he lived, by all accounts in luxury on another planet. His exact whereabouts was not know. It was thought that he had forged papers and created a new identity for himself while still in power in the event that he would someday be overthrown. There was some speculation that somehow he had got through the rigorous tests of suitability and that he lived incognito as a successful businessman on Aurian.
Under Thom RosAntu’s leadership the hard working people of Laydan had turned around the economy and whilst not a wealthy planet, Laydan was at least stable. The resources had been slowly rebuilt, there was a rising industrial section and the people of Laydan were beginning to enjoy the fruits of their work. Thom RosAntu now felt that it was time to start cultivating an export market. They had the capability to produce many luxury items that would be of interest to the people of Aurian. With this in mind he had requested a state visit, his first ever, to forge links between the two worlds. Mal Acky had been delighted to welcome him to his planet and the arrangement had been made.
Governor Mal Acky had heard the rumours about Niv-Lag and had asked the Jedi Council to send a Knight as an added protection for the Leader of Laydan.
Thom RosAntu was due to arrive early the following morning. Qui-Gon didn’t expect trouble, a routine mission, for once.
Obi-Wan thought it was ironic that he and Qui-Gon had sat together in almost total silence for much of the day and now over a communication link Qui-Gon had spoken to him almost non-stop for the best part of an hour.
Qui-Gon was reaching the end of his saga when Obi-Wan felt a great sense of uneasiness. Using the Force as best he could he focused in on his worry and it was then that he sensed grave danger for Qui-Gon. Unsure of his instincts he wondered if he should warn Qui-Gon. He tried to drive the thoughts from his mind but they came back persistently. Eventually, he blurted out. ‘Master, I sense great danger for you on this mission’.
Qui-Gon was startled by the sharpness of Obi-Wan statement yet he did not sense anything himself and told Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan persisted ‘I should come and join you at once.’
‘Obi-Wan, you will stay where you are and complete you own assignment. It is very important.’ Qui-Gon said steadily.
‘Master there is plenty of time for that, this is much more urgent, let me join you there. I could get a transport…’ he was almost screaming with anguish.
‘Calm yourself, Obi-Wan.’ Qui-Gon interrupted. ‘You are uneasy in the Force, you see shadows where there are none. Remain at the Temple. It is my command.’
There was an edge of determination on his voice which Obi-Wan recognised and knew well. His Master would not change his mind. Every instinct was telling him to get to Aurian fast. He attempted to calm himself then he reluctantly nodded his agreement to remain at the Temple. Qui-Gon quickly cut the link.
Yoda arrived, carrying a small glass of purplish liquid, just as Obi-Wan threw himself back on the bed and cried out with frustration. He carefully placed the glass on the shelf beside Obi-Wan and looking at him with his sleepy eyes he said quietly ‘Defy not, your Master, young Obi-Wan.’
Obi-Wan sprung to his feet with such ferocity that Yoda was startled. ‘Master Yoda, I sense great danger on his mission to Aurian. I need to be there with him.’ Obi-Wan cried with conviction.
Yoda ears twitched. ‘What says Master Qui-Gon?’. He asked quietly, countering the boy’s fervour.
Obi-Wan threw his head back and his hands in the air. ‘He says that I should stay here and follow my orders.’ Obi-Wan replied, exasperation pouring from each word.
Yoda shrugged. ‘Do that, you must.’ Obi-Wan sat down abruptly on the bed and cast his eyes up to the ceiling. ‘Patience, you still need to learn.’ Yoda continued steadily. ‘When Master Qui-Gon needs you, call you, he will. Ready, you must be.' He said this staring at the lightsabre hanging on the wall, showing his apparent disapproval. Obi-Wan knew that a lightsabre must be treated with respect at all times, to fail to do so was a serious transgression for a Jedi. He turned from Yoda’s accusing glare.
Yoda knew the boy was not being purposely disrespectful. He was driven by other emotions. ‘Rest, you must, drink this!’ He indicated the purplish liquid he had brought in. Obi-Wan screwed up his nose unconsciously. ‘What is it?’ he asked more sharply than he intended.
‘First you defy one Master, now you cross-examine another. Many rules you breach, Obi-Wan!’ Yoda said sternly.
Obi-Wan hadn’t meant to question Yoda. It was just curiosity, his intent was not to question the wisdom of the Master. How could he explain this? It did, however, reinforced his opinion of himself. ‘I’m sorry Master Yoda, my intention was not to cross-examine, the question sprung from curiosity. But nonetheless, I deserve to be reprimanded. I am…..not myself these days. I am breaking the Jedi Code without even trying. Already, you have found me defiant, impatient, disrespectful and doubtful and I am not yet an hour at the Temple. It only goes to prove that I am not worthy to be a Jedi pupil.’
Yoda looked at him with compassion. He could feel the anguish in the boy. The wretchedness tearing him apart, clouding his foresight. He was sure of one thing though, Obi-Wan may be distressed and confused, but there was no question of unworthiness. It was unfortunate that these appalling events of his last mission had happened while he was still too young, too inexperience to deal with them. Given another few years, he would have grieved for his friend, missed her dearly but he would have been able to rationalise her death and accept that it was her destiny, determined by the Force and that he could not change the Will of the Force. Now he would have to find inner strength beyond his years to deal with his anxieties.
Yoda did not doubt that he would.
He had said as much to Qui-Gon earlier when they had discussed the boy and using the almost same words as he had to Qui-Gon he said. ‘It is easier to understand and accept the Will of the Force when travelling in the same direction, you are. The Force determines our destiny. Fight it, you must not. Decide who is worthy and who is not, the Force will. The decision is not yours to make, Obi-Wan. Close your mouth and open your ears, you must. Then hear what your true heart is seeking, you will.’
‘With respect, Master, I have tried to hear what the Force is saying to me. I feel…’
‘Listen harder, you must! Wise in the ways of the Force, Master Qui-Gon is, listen to him.’ Yoda advised. Turning to go he added wisely. ‘A rested mind is a clear mind. Drink this.’ He handed the glass to Obi-Wan. ‘Help you sleep, it will.’
Obi-Wan watched the Master leave and then put the glass down untouched. He sat forward on his bed, resting his head on his knees and rocked gently. He had tried, he told himself, he had tried hard to clear his mind, he had tried to seek out other possibilities, he had tried to follow the will of the Force. Why did they all assume that he didn’t recognise that the Force was telling him to quit? It was clear to him, why did they assume that his vision was clouded? Could it be that they were right? Was he blind to his own destiny? He didn’t think so, but - he couldn’t think now, he hadn’t slept properly for weeks and when he did drift off it has been disturbed, restless sleep. Frequently, he had woken in a cold sweat, fretting or crying out. He sat up abruptly, he didn’t want to think of his nightmare now.
He thought about going for a walk but decided against it, he didn’t want to chance meeting Yoda in the corridor and having to explain why he was disobeying his orders again.
He remembered that he hadn’t eaten his supper, but his appetite was gone now. Slowly, he got ready for bed and dreading the torments the night would bring he contemplated leaving the light on.
He lifted the glass Yoda had brought him and drank from it quickly so that the liquid would be gone before he had time to taste it. It was surprisingly warm. He felt the warmth slowly moving through him and then wind itself around his body. Immediately, he drifted into a dreamless, undisturbed sleep.
TBC
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