PLEASE NOTE: In 2012, the Youtube user, Belated Media, put up a video with the basic concept that he was a story producer when George Lucas was writing the Star Wars Prequels and that he reworked when George had in a way that was more streamline, maintained the integrity of the Original Trilogy, and left fewer plot holes. I saw this video a few years ago and loved the concept, but I just couldn't get it out of my head. What WOULD a Star Wars like that look like? Specifically? Since I'm not a director, I decided I would attempt to novelize what the Star Wars Prequels COULD HAVE BEEN, based on the ideas presented by Belated Media. The original video can still be found on Youtube under Belated Media's channel and while I do deviate a bit from some of the concepts presented (he goes on to do Episode 2 and 3 in later videos and makes a few tweaks that aren't mentioned in the first video) much of the ideas and concepts presented belong originally to him. Thank you to Belated Media for providing the idea, and thank you to the readers for taking the time to explore these concepts with me. Cheers,
-Katerinaki
Prologue:
There is unrest in the Galactic Republic. Thousands of systems have declared their desire to break from the Republic, forming a separatist movement.
The peace between the two opposing factions is fragile and the Jedi Knights find themselves as mediators, trying to prevent all-out war.
The Galactic Senate, fearing the strength of the Separatists, have commissioned an Army of the Republic to assist the overwhelmed Jedi…
Part 1:
The High Council of the Jedi Order consist only of the strongest and wisest of Jedi Masters. It is the High Council that makes decisions in how the Order will respond to any situation in any part of the galaxy, always seeking to maintain a balance between the Jedi Code and the ever elusive Will of the Force.
For the elected leader of the Jedi High Council, Master Mace Windu, lately that balance has become muddled and, like the Galactic Senate, the High Council has become torn between what a Jedi's duty should be, and whether or not they should continue to serve at the whim of the Senate.
"The Jedi must remain separate," Saesee Tiin insisted. "The Will of the Force must always take precedence over the politics of the day."
"Is our role not to maintain peace?" Master Ti suggested. "The Republic—"
"Is a government like all the others," Master Tiin growled. "And an ineffectual one at that! The greed of the senators has led us to the brink of civil war. And what then, when war breaks out? The Jedi are not military. We are not soldiers."
Master Windu suppressed a sigh as they once more came back around to the same questions that began their discussion. Since the Senate began to speak of an army, it had seemed as if the Jedi would be the natural leaders of that military, much to the Jedi's disagreement. While they were potentially the longest, established fighting force, the Jedi had not raised an army since the Sith Wars and would not do so again, if Mace Windu had anything to say about it.
An alert signaled on his control panel, a request for entry to the chamber.
"Masters," he called, his voice ringing over the chamber. The arguing council members quieted immediately at the request of the senior master.
"Chancellor Palpatine has arrived."
There was slight shuffling and a few mutters as the gathered masters prepared to receive the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic. All were familiar with the man himself in a way most politicians were not. Sheev Palpatine had been the Amassador to the Jedi Order for many years, before his appointment as Chancellor. He had maintained a close relationship with the Jedi after his election. "Meddling", in the opinions of a few Masters.
Chancellor Palpatine swept into the council chamber confidently. He inclined his head in deference to Master Windu before addressing the assembled council.
"Masters, I wanted to bring you the great news in person. The Senate has authorized the creation of an Army of the Republic, to aid you in your unwavering efforts to maintain peace and security in these troubled times."
If the council chamber were the Galactic Senate floor, it would've erupted. As it was, Master Windu could feel the Masters' displeasure and distrust surging as a wave of silent dissent through the Force. It was his responsibility to speak for the mind of the Council.
"With all due respect, Chancellor, an army would hinder the efforts of the Jedi. We are keepers of the peace, not soldiers."
"The Jedi Order has stood for thousands of years as a guard against the darkness in our galaxy. And your efforts have not been in vain, nor have they gone unnoticed."
"And what purpose would this army serve?" Master Ti asked. "We go to negotiate, to sue for the continued peace. Not to fight."
Palpatine sighed heavily. His shoulders sagged ever so slightly from his bearing and his face revealed just a brief glimpse of the stress he was no doubt under. "My friends, may I speak frankly to you? The citizens of the Republic are scared. More and more systems are joining the Separatist movement and with the recent string of assassinations, they need a way to feel safe again. They love you, and the sacrifices you make for them, but your ranks are limited. An army would allow you to focus your attentions where they would be most useful, and provide the citizens of the Republic with a tangible reassurance of their continued security. Surely you can't be opposed to that."
In that moment, the Council's oldest member spoke at last. Master Yoda had lived for hundreds of years. He was the Council's longest sitting member, but he often chose to remain away from council matters, training the new initiates of the Jedi Order. When he spoke, all listened.
"If force you offer, force you will receive. War is the purpose of an army. War is what you will have."
Many of the masters nodded agreement with the small, green master. But Chancellor Palpatine regarded him shrewdly before sighing heavily and hanging his head.
"I am truly sorry, my friends," Palpatine said, "but the Senate is decided. Preparations are already underway. I will, of course, keep you apprised of the progress. May the Force be with you."
Palpatine bowed once more and left. As the doors shut behind him, a number of the masters expressed their displeasure.
"It is as I feared," Master Tiin declared. "Now we will be generals."
"Then trust we must, that resolved quickly this situation will be," Master Yoda replied. "Requested our aid, the House of Organa has. A delegation, they request, to secure peace talks on Alderaan."
Master Windu nodded. "Kenobi has returned with his apprentice. If I recall, he is familiar with House Organa and has been party to the negotiations thus far."
Master Yoda nodded. "Send them, we will, Peace, they must find."
The next day, in the hangar of 500 Republica, preparations were underway to bring the Senators and representatives of the Galactic Republic to Alderaan. Among the crews and politicians walked a small group of Jedi, led by the Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi. He cut a poised, confident figure as he looked out over the hangar. For Obi-Wan, the prospect of this mission brought excitement and hope to his heart. Hope that their efforts would be rewarded with if not the end of the conflict, then at least the first steps of diplomacy. And he would be lying if he said the prospect of seeing Padmé Organa again did not excite and intrigue him. He wondered how the years will have changed her. Padmé had fought a hard battle to become the Senator of Alderaan. Shortly after her parents' deaths, the power vacuum had almost created a rift that would've brought Alderaan into its own civil war. Only Padmé's unflagging diplomacy and her brother Bail's selflessness had preserved Alderaan.
"Obi-Wan? Is everything alright?"
Obi-Wan drew away from his thoughts, smiling at his anxious padawan learner.
"Of course, Anakin. Is everything prepared?"
"Yes," Anakin replied, though his teacher knew him well enough by now to recognize his discomfort.
The beginning of their training partnership had been rocky at best. Obi-Wan could admit now, he hadn't been the most patient or understanding master. Growing up as a slave meant that Anakin lacked much of the self-assurance and confidence of the average Jedi initiate. It did not help that Obi-Wan felt guilt for his own master's death and resentment for being forced to train Anakin, to become a teacher before he'd really finished being a student.
But, the two of them had fought and trained and grown together, Obi-Wan into a respected Jedi Knight and Anakin into a strong Jedi apprentice. Obi-Wan would be the first to admit, his apprentice's connection to the Force was far stronger than his own, or even than most Jedi Obi-Wan had known. It was ridiculous that Anakin still felt uncertainty about his own skills, but Obi-Wan knew that was the source of his anxiety.
Obi-Wan turned, dismissing the other Jedi to their ships before turning back to his apprentice.
"What is wrong?" he asked patiently.
As a testament to their bond, Anakin did not hesitate to spill everything on his mind.
"What if I can't do this? What if my mistake leads to our failure? I know I haven't been training very long and the Temple masters say I'm ready, but I look at you and the other Jedi…"
"I've had a little more practice than you, Anakin," Obi-Wan joked.
"Obi-Wan," Anakin groaned.
"You will be fine," Obi-Wan assured him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Anakin had grown significantly in the ten years they'd been together as a training pair, surpassing Obi-Wan's modest height years ago. Finally receiving proper nutrition and training each day, Anakin had filled out into a tall, strong young man. But despite his superior height, Anakin looked up to Obi-Wan as the older brother and mentor he'd never had before. And for Obi-Wan, Anakin was his student, and best friend.
"Your saber skills are more than adequate for a peace negotiation. I will need you to focus on the task at hand. We can come back and drill lightsaber techniques until you fall over after we've achieved galactic peace. Does that satisfy you?"
Anakin grinned, nodding. "Who says I'm the one that will fall over? I saw you panting after our last spar, old man!"
"Old man?" Obi-Wan feinted like he was going to tackle Anakin, the two of them laughing, when they were suddenly interrupted by a pilot shouting.
"Son of a womp rat! Holly kriff, I can't believe it!"
The two of them turned, expecting trouble as a plump pilot jogged across the hangar towards them.
"I can't believe it!" the pilot exclaimed again as he approached Anakin. "Do you know who you are? Oh man, Beru is not going to believe this!"
"Um, sorry, do I know you?" Anakin asked hesitantly.
"No way, but you're Anakin! I watched your race at Boonta Eve! There's no way you should've won, but that was some of the best piloting I've ever seen! That's why I went to flight school, because of you. Wow, you're taller than I expected."
"And you are?" Obi-Wan prompted. He was standing back, arms crossed and watching the pilot's enthusiasm, and Anakin's discomfort, with growing amusement.
"Oh sorry! Jabba, mom said I had manners like a bantha. I'm Owen Lars."
"Nice to meet you," Anakin replied, shaking Owen's offered hand.
"Oh it's so wizard to meet you too! I can't believe—wait are you flying with the delegation?"
"Yes, he is," Obi-Wan replied, smirking.
"That's so wizard! I'm flying the transport. Not as awesome as the fighter they're probably putting you in, but man this is so cool! I can't believe I get to fly with The Anakin!"
"It's really a dream come true," Obi-Wan agreed dryly as Anakin's face became impossibly redder.
A signal echoed through the hangar announcing the last boarding call and blessedly, Owen stopped drooling over Anakin a moment.
"I guess I should go and do final checks on the ship," Owen said, visibly disappointed. "But hey, when we land maybe we can get a drink or something. See you on Alderaan."
Owen jogged off leaving a very embarrassed Anakin feeling hugely relieved. He turned to Obi-Wan and saw his teacher's amused grin.
"I'm sorry, I don't know what just happened."
"Oh, I think it's obvious. You have a fan, The Anakin."
"Not you too," Anakin groaned.
"What? I'm just elated to be flying with the greatest podracer in history! It's good to know I'll have such a legend off my wing."
"Obi-Wan!" Anakin protested as the two of them climbed into their fighters.
"Please, let me know if I get in the way. Surely my own modest skills can't possibly keep up with The Anakin."
"When we land, I'm kicking your butt," Anakin retorted as his cockpit shield lowered.
"As you wish, Oh Great Anakin."
The convoy left Coruscant and made the jump to hyperspace without incident. Obi-Wan settled back into his cockpit, content to get a bit of light meditation in while there was some time. He needed to be centered and focused if they were to ensure the success of these peace talks. But lately, Obi-Wan's sleep had been disrupted by strange dreams. He saw a dark figure, moving among the crowd of the Senate, standing behind the backs of the Jedi Council. He saw a dark world, flowing with rivers of red, the air choked with noxious fumes. And he saw him. The Sith with the horns and red and black tattoos mocked him, always just beyond Obi-Wan's reach. He hissed and jeered at Obi-Wan, taunting him with his helplessness as the Sith drove his lightsaber through Qui-Gon or Padmé or Anakin, over and over again.
Obi-Wan hadn't had dreams like this since the year after his Master's death. He'd seen a Temple mindhealer who had helped him come to terms with his Master's death. Obi-Wan knew he probably should've gone to see the healer again the moment the dreams came to him again, but he never seemed to find the time. Anakin's training and their various missions kept them on the move, away from the Temple. They'd only just returned from Ansion when the Council set them on these peace talks.
Obi-Wan tried to settle into meditation and was just beginning to immerse himself into the Force when a warning surged through his senses and his starfighter was suddenly jerked out of hyperspace.
It was a gravity well, Obi-Wan realized as he looked around and saw the other convoy ships stopped or falling out of hyperspace as well. Anakin appeared just off his wing.
"Master, what—"
There shouldn't have been a gravity well here. The route from Coruscant to Alderaan was well-mapped and well-travelled.
"Shields up!" Obi-Wan ordered as the squadron of unknown starfighters suddenly appeared in space, cannons blazing.
"Evasive action! Fighters protect the transports!" Obi-Wan barked over the comms.
"It's the Separatists!" one of the transport pilots shouted over the comm. Obi-Wan caught sight of the six-spoked hexagon on the wing of the nearest fighter. That was the rallying symbol of the Separatists.
"Focus on protecting the transports. Pilots, get your ships back into hyperspace!"
Obi-Wan dived, avoiding a barrage of cannon fire, Anakin hot on his tail. They took up position by Owen's transport. Owen, for his part, seemed to be having the time of his life dodging the attacking fighters in the clunky transport ship.
"Anakin, I'm going to bank, you got this guy?" Owen called. He banked and a fighter flew over the transport's port wing, right into Anakin's cannons.
"Got him!" Anakin declared. "Uh-oh, I got one on my tail."
An enemy fighter was trying to lock onto Anakin as he dodged and rolled.
"I have him," Obi-Wan assured him, bringing his own ship to bear.
"Go left!" Owen called and Anakin banked hard, giving Obi-Wan a clear shot.
"Thanks, Obi-Wan," Anakin said as they fell back into position around Owen's transport. The fight was about over as the other starfighter escorts dealt with the attackers around their transports. The remaining decided to cut their losses and jumped away.
"Everyone report in," Obi-Wan commanded.
The pilots went through one-by-one, giving status updates. There was minor damage to one of the transports that had been nearest to the point of attack, but they hadn't lost anyone.
"Stay in formation, we're almost there," Obi-Wan said.
They cleared the gravity well and at last the convoy was back at lightspeed. Except now Obi-Wan was not so confident these talks would succeed. There had been rumors of assassination attempts, backed by the Separatist movement, but no open conflict. Until now. But what could the Separatists gain by attacking the convoy? They did not have the strength for open war against the Republic. Diplomacy was in their best interests too.
Before long, Obi-Wan found himself once more above the blue and green planet of Alderaan. He hadn't been back even once in the ten years since the Battle for Aldera.
"There's so much water," Anakin remarked excitedly through the comm.
"It's a beautiful planet. You'll see." But as they escorted their transport ship into the spaceport at Aldera, Obi-Wan couldn't help but feel unease and guilt as he remembered his disastrous last trip.
They landed and were greeted by a delegation from the Noble Houses of Alderaan. As Obi-Wan climbed from the cockpit, he saw the insignia of House Antilles, Panteer, but he was truly searching for the familiar, heart-shaped insignia, trimmed in blue. He needn't look far as he found House Organa at the center of the delegation and two familiar faces. He hung back, though, doing a quick visual inspection of his ship to make sure there wasn't any damage as the Senators and representatives were properly greeted and offers of hospitality were exchanged, the usual cordialities of politics.
Anakin joined him, looking around at the advanced spaceport and the rich architecture. He whistled.
"You definitely wouldn't see anything like this on Tatooine."
"Alderaan is a very prosperous Core World," Obi-Wan replied. "It was one of the founders of the Galactic Republic."
"Is that so? Whoa, who's that?"
Obi-Wan looked up in time to see the two he'd been hoping and dreading to meet again.
"That's—"
"Obi-Wan!" Senator Padmé Amidala Organa greeted, smiling.
"Your Highnesses," Obi-Wan replied, bowing respectfully.
And Padmé slapped him on the arm.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"Don't 'Your Highness' me, Obi-Wan Kenobi!" Padmé scolded. "We were in a bar fight and a battle together."
Obi-Wan looked desperately to Bail for help but the Viceroy and First Chairman of Alderaan simply shrugged, making it clear this was Obi-Wan's mess and Obi-Wan would have to clean it up.
"So much for diplomacy," Obi-Wan muttered. Padmé went to swing at him again but Obi-Wan pulled Anakin in front of him.
"Padmé, you remember Anakin?"
Padmé stopped short as she looked up at the young man who towered over her.
"Anakin? My goodness, you've grown!"
"You've grown shorter," Anakin commented.
"Anakin, I'm Bail Organa," Bail extended his hand in greeting. "We never met, but my sister told me about you."
Padmé blushed and looked away and suddenly Obi-Wan was very interested in what Padmé had told Bail.
"Shall we go to the palace?" Bail suggested, gesturing towards a waiting shuttle.
"Yes," Obi-Wan, Padmé, and Anakin said at once.
"There is a banquet tonight, in welcome," Bail explained as they boarded the shuttle. "Tomorrow the Separatist delegation arrives."
"And where does Alderaan stand in this?" Obi-Wan asked as the shuttle doors closed and they sped off towards the palace, nestled at the base of the mountains that framed Aldera.
"With the Republic," Padmé replied.
"For now," Bail added, to Obi-Wan's surprise.
"For now?" Anakin repeated.
Padmé shot a warning look at her brother.
"Bail is…dissatisfied with the Senate and its response to our crisis a number of years ago. He is concerned it no longer possesses the ability to act in the interests of the worlds it represents."
"Forgive me if I have a longer memory than you," Bail retorted.
"I remember, but Chancellor Palpatine has done many good things for the Republic. There was a reason the Senate voted to re-elect him."
"The Separatists are thugs," Anakin grumbled.
"I beg your pardon?" Bail said.
"Forgive my apprentice," Obi-Wan replied quickly. "We were ambushed on our way to these talks by a Separatist faction."
"How can you be sure?" Padmé asked.
"I saw the six-spokes right on their wings," Anakin said.
Bail sighed. "Their leadership is fractured. It is the only thing preventing them from gaining traction. If they could just unite—"
"Let's save this conversation for the talks tomorrow," Padmé interrupted. "Tonight we're just going to relax and enjoy a good meal. We can start this when the other delegation arrives."
Upon their arrival to the palace, Obi-Wan and Anakin were given quarters in a separate wing with the other Jedi assigned to the talks.
"I figured you'll have enough of our squabbling during the day that you should be spared it at night," Padmé explained as she showed them the room.
"This is ours?" Anakin looked around, wide-eyed. The room was modest by what Obi-Wan knew of Alderaan standards, but still larger and more opulent than anything the Jedi Temple had to offer. Two sleep couches sat on opposite sides and there was a small sitting area at the center. A large window perched over a comm station and desk.
"This will be more than enough, thank you," Obi-Wan told Padmé.
"The dinner is in a few hours. Please let me know if you need anything." She smiled and left, the door sliding closed behind her.
"My bunk on Tatooine must've looked like a trash heap, if Padmé grew up here."
Anakin flopped down on one of the sleep couches, admiring as the cushioning conformed to his back.
"Don't get too comfortable," Obi-Wan warned. "This banquet tonight will be as important as the talks tomorrow."
"Good thing I brought you, then," Anakin replied.
Obi-Wan would've preferred to be anywhere else at the moment. Instead, he sat next to Anakin in the grand banquet hall of the Alderaanian royal palace, flanked by Anakin and the Senator from Malastare. Anakin was animatedly talking with the long-necked Quermian on his other side, extolling the food and hospitality of their hosts. Their host herself sat across from Obi-Wan, making polite conversation with her dinner guests on either side, but all the while throwing little smiles Obi-Wan's way. Obi-Wan could barely do more than take small bites and nod appropriately as the Senator from Malastare went on about the senate committee he was heading.
Ever since they'd landed, Obi-Wan had been feeling a dark mood in the pit of his stomach. Everywhere he looked reminded him of the last time he'd been on Alderaan, when he'd let his master die. The mind healers would say the fault did not lie with Obi-Wan, but with the Sith. However, Obi-Wan knew, if he hadn't allowed himself to be distracted, hadn't abandoned his master to face the Sith alone in favor of tending to Padmé, then Qui-Gon might've been here, sitting on Anakin's opposite side.
'It's your fault, and what have you done to fix it?'
Nothing. Nothing had been seen of Qui-Gon's killer. Obi-Wan had spent a few years in the beginning, trying to track down the Sith. But he'd vanished, sinking into the shadows of the galaxy and Anakin had been in need of a teacher. So Obi-Wan abandoned his fruitless search in favor of taking up Anakin's training as was his Master's dying request. The Sith had been all but forgotten. Until now, when he say enjoying a lavish banquet where his master had fought and died.
"Pardon me, Senator," Obi-Wan said, standing abruptly. "I'm not feeling well."
"Hm, it's likely the nerf. Disgusting creatures. Very lucky I can't digest their meat," the Senator replied.
"Obi-Wan, are you alright?" Anakin asked. Obi-Wan could feel his concern through their training bond.
"I'm alright," Obi-Wan replied, sending the reassurance through their bond. "I'm going to retire and rest for the night."
He made more apologies to the Senator before leaving the hall. He knew, though, that his brush off of Anakin wouldn't be enough. He sensed Anakin following him and heard the light tap of his boots as he jogged to catch up.
"Obi-Wan, are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm alright," Obi-Wan insisted.
"You've been acting strangely since we arrived."
"It's nothing."
"It's Padmé, isn't it? You…like her?"
Obi-Wan was startled by the sudden shift, but he was quick to respond. "A Jedi does not have attachments, Anakin," he chided.
"That doesn't mean you aren't attracted to her," Anakin persisted with a knowing smile.
"Padmé and I have only ever been friends."
"Do most of your friends hit you when you first greet them? You might want to work on that," Anakin teased.
But Obi-Wan had no energy for banter. His mind was restless but his body was exhausted.
"Enjoy your evening, Anakin. I'll see you back in our quarters. Try not to stay up too late. The delegation arrives early tomorrow."
Obi-Wan turned and left but he didn't see the concerned look Anakin gave his back.
Behind him, the banquet hall door opened and Owen peeked out, seeing Anakin standing alone.
"Just needed some air from that stuffy lot?" Owen commented. He joined Anakin, leaning on the railing looking out into the central courtyard. The two of them watched the fountain gurgle water.
"It's a bit different from Tatooine," Owen said. "Do you miss it?"
"No," Anakin replied. "At least, not the desert, or the heat. I miss my friend, Kitster."
"I know what you mean," Owen agreed. "I don't miss the farm. Getting out early, trying to fix busted vaporators with old parts. I miss my father, I guess. He's still back on the farm, trying to make something out of nothing."
Anakin turned, propping his back up against the rail.
"Did you really go to flight school because of my race?"
"You better believe it! I wanted to be a pod racer, but a few trips down Beggar's Canyon and I almost smashed myself on the canyon wall. But I figured in space, there's a lot less stuff to hit."
Owen laughed and Anakin chuckled as well. "Then you went to Coruscant."
"I couldn't believe how many beings there are! And the buildings!"
Anakin nodded, remembering his first time on Coruscant. He'd done nothing but stare for months in the beginning until the towers and the traffic had been just part of the background.
"What are the odds, huh?" Owen said. "A couple of boys from Tatooine, guests in a palace."
"Trying to barter for galactic peace instead of pallies," Anakin added.
"Oh man, I miss pallies so much!"
The hall began to empty as most of the politicians seemed to be following Bail Organa down to a sitting room where they were undoubtedly serving dessert. The thought of the sweets made Anakin's mouth water until he caught sight of Padmé emerging from the hall. She spotted them and broke off from the group.
"Anakin, is everything alright with Obi-Wan? He didn't look well and I saw he left early."
"He's fine," Anakin replied a bit too quickly. "He just went back to…meditate or something…"
"Oh. Well, I suppose that's very important. I was going to see if you perhaps wanted a tour of the palace."
"Do we!" Owen replied enthusiastically.
"You don't need to stay with the Senators?"
But Padmé waved off Anakin's concern.
"My brother has them well in hand. Let Bail play politics. It's what he likes."
"But, if you don't like politics, why are you a Senator?" Owen asked as the three of them began strolling through the courtyard.
Padmé shrugged. "It was either that or nerf-herder." She winked mischievously as Anakin as they turned down a corridor.
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan sat, legs folded on the floor of his and Anakin's shared quarters. His eyes were closed as he tried to relax into his meditation, but no matter how he tried, visions of Qui-Gon's shocked expression as the Sith stabbed him flitted over and over through his mind.
"Enough," Obi-Wan growled, drawing on the Force to banish the memory. But no sooner did Qui-Gon's face disappear that another took its place.
This one was different, however. It shifted and morphed, shrouded in flames. Obi-Wan thought he saw the Sith, but then the face morphed and he thought it was Anakin. Then it was Padmé, Qui-Gon, his own face.
"No!"
Obi-Wan jerked out of meditation, banging his knee against the nearby chair. He panted, covered in sweat as he massaged his throbbing knee. This was torture. Being here, on Alderaan, the scene of Obi-Wan's greatest failure and regret. These talks could not end soon enough.