Hello, of course I don't own anything that is owned by Disney etc. This is just a fan work etc.
I hope you'll enjoy this rendition of the prequels.
A figure stood on the observation platform, glancing down on the myriad of life present on Coruscant. Everyone so small, so minuscule. Their short, meaningless lives spent in pursuit of fleeting pleasures. Lost in the tide that moved the Galaxy from one point in time to the next, powerless against the greater forces that governed their existence. Their impact on the greater scheme of things was below notice, unlike his. He was the first being that held all of their lives in the palm of his hand. He could feel them, so bright, so full of vigour and yet so easy to extinguish with just a thought or a command.
"How pathetic." whispered the dark cloaked being "Power, strength, technology... all will bow."
A door opened behind him, vanishing almost soundlessly into the wall panel.
Another person approached, taller, broader and similarly adorned in a black cloak with a hood that hid its identity. Quick, measured steps carried the newcomer, who stopped respectfully behind the sole occupant of the viewing platform.
"What?" barked the shorter man impatiently, without turning his gaze from the seemingly infinite depths of the planet-wide city.
"The source has made contact. Our plan can finally proceed." a clearly masculine voice spoke. A voice that did not leave a single syllable out of place. Everything was delivered in the flattest of monotones, yet carried the underlying timbre of danger.
"Good." in stark contrast to his companion, one couldn't mistake the sense of extreme malicious satisfaction contained within that single word.
"We should begin the preparations immediately" continued the shorter man "you will go and manage the operation personally. I give you full mandate. Do not fail me, my apprentice".
"Yes, Master" replied his companion.
"Now, leave me."
The newcomer bowed and then, using the same careful but quick stride as before, left the observation platform.
The now single occupant of the platform moved for the first time. He walked to the side of the platform and looked at the structure, barely visible, but still alight with tracing and warning lights, its shape immediately recognizable. Everyone on Coruscant and any other civilized world in the Galaxy knew what it was. The four high spires of the Jedi Temple looked like daggers cutting into the dense atmosphere of Coruscant. The temple itself was ancient, thousands of years old. A testament to the Jedi's power and influence. For a thousand generations the Jedi have guarded the Republic and its idea of democracy. They were a symbol, perhaps the symbol, of the greatest achievement in the Galaxy.
The temple was the stronghold the Republic's protectors, paragons of virtue, the greatest monument of the Jedi. 'All very well' thought the man 'for soon... soon it will burn.
Obi-Wan knelt on a mat in his cabin. He tried to calm himself and enter the deep state of meditation that allowed Jedi to connect more profoundly with the Force and by it the surrounding universe. Slowly he felt his mind go silent as his consciousness wandered, sensing the many sentients that comprised the crew of the Peryhelion. The sharp precision and focus of the beings responsible for the day-to-day running of the ship was as always soothing. So different from the confusing fog of chaotic thoughts which was usually overwhelming on Coruscant. Except for the temple, nothing compared to the tranquil aura of the temple.
'Petty Officer Bikra must have lost her wage playing sabacc, again.' thought Obi-Wan with humour. The moody, but charming, human woman was the one put in charge of his stay on the ship. At first she was unhappy at 'playing babysitter' to a what she called "a snotty kid", though she never voiced her objections, but for a Jedi she could have just as well shouted her displeasure to everyone around. It intrigued and strung a mischievous cord in Obi-Wan, so he took great pleasure in irritating his minder. His first request was a complete tour of the ship, during which he asked as many questions as he could, while being unbearably cheerful and enthusiastic all the time. During long walks in the corridors he questioned her repeatedly about her career, family and pets. Throughout it all her professional conduct never cracked, not once, but her mind told a different story. Halfway through the tour she began fantasizing about stuffing him in an airlock and opening the outer doors and later became more creative.
No one will never know what would have happened, since Master Qui-Gon took that time to put an end to his temporary ward's fun. Qui-Gon found them when the Petty Officer was explaining the mess protocol. Of course he wouldn't be Qui-Gon, if he didn't berate Obi-Wan for his harmless bit of fun loudly and in front of Petty Officer Bikra. At that moment her composure cracked and a look of absolute fury appeared on her face for an instant, before she asked to be excused and left their presence. Thankfully very few other crewmen were around.
Obi-Wan was a little concerned, that because of Qui-Gon's intervention this mission would become difficult. Fortunately, it turned out that Petty Officer Bikra had a sense of humour after all. The story of how he duped her and made her show him the insides of service chute 2 (which was extremely interesting, honest!) made quick rounds through the ship. He was now known semi-officially as 'joke boy'. Apparently, all the crew members expectations of the Jedi adhered to the, mostly accurate, stereotype of the stoic, patient and wise monks. It was obvious that they have never met any padawan of Grand Master Yoda. Still, the story perpetrated by the Petty Officer cemented his standing among the crew, who now greeted him enthusiastically in the corridors and invited to sit with him during meals. The Petty Officer herself quickly forgave him, after enacting her revenge by making him sit with her and people from her work shift during dinner and then proceeded to ask him all sorts of uncomfortable questions. They became fast friends and spent as much time off duty together as possible, he was however banned from her little sabacc circle when they found out he could out-bluff any of them and always knew whenever someone was overplaying their hand.
His thoughts momentarily derailed, Obi-Wan once again tried to stay focused and opened his mind to the force. He became more passive, his awareness floated above and beyond him, encompassing the entire ship and the space beyond. He never lost the marvel that connecting deeply to the Force offered to him. Obi-Wan always considered the simple existence of the universe as the greatest miracle of the Force. It connected everything, binding and penetrating every object and living matter. Right now he felt the minds of the crew, those on duty were precise and focused, those that were not were relaxing and enjoying themselves anyway they could, some were gambling, some were engaging in sex, not common but not also not unheard of among the purely human crew of the Peryhelion, others were imbibing alcohol or watching various recreational holovids. Among them all the most striking mind belonged to the XO, one Commander Liden Jalod. Jalod had one of the most focused and logical minds Obi-Wan has ever felt and considering he met many people from various races in his short life that was saying something. The Commander's thoughts were extremely organised, not a single one strayed of course. Jalod was a career man who focused completely on a given task, to an extent that Obi-Wan found unnatural. If the young Jedi didn't know better he would thought the man a droid. The Captain, on the other hand, was a totally plain individual. How he achieved captaincy was a mystery to Obi-Wan, but his surname Skiedy, suggested some connections with the influential senator Skiedy from Yaga.
Then he focused on the most exceptional being on the ship. Master Qui-Gon Jinn was infamous amongst the ranks of the Jedi. He was known as the 'padawan-less' master. After his last padawan, Xanatos, betrayed the Jedi and embraced the Dark Side he never took another pupil. Though he was often sent on missions with other padawans, like this one, he lived apart from the greater Jedi community, preferring the quiet life of solitude. That's perhaps why his presence in the Force was different than what was usual for a Jedi. Qui-Gon was a focused cyclone of intense awareness, that didn't extend beyond his immediate surroundings. He felt that the Master Jedi knew of his scrutiny and suddenly Obi-Wan received a sensation of reassurance and approval.
Obi-Wan didn't knew how much time he spent meditating. His awareness expanded, he saw images, which appeared and then morphed into something else, constantly changing: a magnificent city under a red star swallowed in flames, a great armada trying in vain to contain an enemy that destroyed them one by one, yellow eyes shrouded in darkness, malice pouring out of them. They twirled and morphed too quickly for him to catch more than a glimpse. But what he felt was more than make him wail in despair... that feeling of death and destruction...
"What is the matter, student?" said Master Qui-Gon, breaking Obi-Wan's concentration and making him once again focus on himself. The young Jedi opened his eyes and looked at the ageing human.
Qui-Gon was an older man, yet still not burdened by the years. His deep voice carried a gentleness that was soothing to the padawan. The Jedi Master appeared in his 50s, greying long hair held in a ponytail and a short cropped beard gave him a roguish appearance. Some would call him distinguished.
"I had a vision... I do not understand it... It promised death... death and suffering." replied Obi-Wan.
"I see. The Force gives us visions, padawan, but remember the future is always in motion and we should not dwell on it. What will come to pass, will. Try to centre yourself, student. When you achieve perfect focus you will notice that the future will no longer matter, only the here and now." said Qui-Gon.
"But shouldn't we try to anticipate future events?" asked Obi-Wan "Won't it allow us to prevent disasters? It is said that the Masters of the Council always look into the future for answers."
"Some do agree with that philosophy, I do not. The future is always changing, it's malleable, uncountable factors influence it every second, currents sweep us back and forth and any attempt to accurately predict it borders on extreme arrogance. We are live beings, Obi-Wan we should concentrate on the present and trust our instincts. The Force will guide our way."
"But Master Yoda and other Masters always encourage us to see into the future during meditations. They say that it grants insight." Obi-Wan responded.
"But do they tell you to act on those visions Obi-Wan? Every Jedi knows that if the future was to be set in stone, why should we know it, what would we try to change if its determined? We know it is not. Currents flow, Obi-Wan, as they always will. Sensing them can grant you unprecedented insight my young apprentice, yet it can also cause unimaginable pain. Learn to let go and focus on the here and now." said Qui-Gon.
"But if we know future events, won't we be able to more efficiently influence the present?" asked Obi-Wan.
"And so we come back to my initial argument. The number of factors in anything we undertake is so large, that you cannot even assume that your actions to the contrary won't produce the outcome you were trying to avoid. We are only masters of our own destiny. Obi-Wan, every other sentient can influence the future, for good or ill."
"Yes, Master. I understand, I think."
"Now, my young pupil, I think I know just the way to take your mind off such things. Tell me, what are the indicators of sentient life and why are they fundamental to the Republic?"
Obi-Wan's mood fell even more...
Jalod felt that the fates hated him. He joined the Republic Navy at the age of 17, made his tour as an enlisted man on a frigate and had the fortune of catching the eye of his ship's Twi-lek XO. He got sponsored to the most prestigious officers' academy in Carida and graduated a year early and first of his class with a special commendation from the academy's Head. He thought his hard work and dedication would be recognized. He hoped to command his own ship in ten years and then to make admiral. That's what everyone at the academy assured him of. Jalod's future was bright and prosperous. Reality proved a harsh teacher. His less talented colleagues who had the right political connections got promoted ahead of him. What's worse, his evident competence and quick mind earned him the envy of his immediate superiors. The effect? Twenty years of service on the most dreary posts one could think of. Being shuffled from post to post, almost like an embarrassment. But he wouldn't allow himself to slip in his duties. That was the last thing left to him, his last shred of self-respect, he knew he was very good at his job and will never allow himself or his ship to drop into mere mediocrity.
His new ship was a mess when he came on-board, but the crew, thankfully, caught on quickly. They recognised him as a hard-liner from the moment he issued his first order. Some resented him, but most agreed that he was a good first officer. Jalod was fair and didn't push the crew too hard and earned the crew's respected slowly and grudgingly. When he had to serve out punishments, he did so without remorse, but avoided any overreaction. What clinched the deal for the crew, was the fact that he argued that every privilege stated in the manual had to be instituted. He petitioned, quarrelled and shouted, until the captain agreed. That earned him the respect of everyone on board, apart from some of the officers who were jealous for his new found rapport with the crew, but he didn't care about that. Incompetent sycophants can stay where they are and not interfere in the workings of his ship. Because, despite the fact that Captain Skiedy was nominally in command of the Peryhelion, all the work and responsibility came down to Jalod and everyone from the lowest deckhand to the second officers knew that.
That's why he hated this assignment. Peryhelion was a republic cruiser, a state-of-the-art warship, capable of destruction on an immense scale, not a diplomatic courier. And ferrying Jedi of all things! Jalod was very sceptical about the Force, he never saw any evidence of the mystical power and he believed that most of what the crew gossiped about was superstitions and misinformation.
Bah! If they were so powerful they would rule the galaxy, rather than be a secluded order of peacekeepers and diplomats. Not that he didn't acknowledge their talents in those fields. They were definitely educated enough to be skilled politicians. But all that paranormal nonsense?! Utter rubbish. Still, orders were orders and he would carry out those with the same professionalism he applied to his entire life.
That's why he braced himself when the overall commander of this mission entered the bridge, with his young hanger-on in tow. Jalod caught himself at being unfair to the twenty year old boy. Unlike his Master the younger Jedi ingratiated himself to the crew very quickly, trading jokes and relaxing with the crew, which helped the morale and lifted crew spirits. Only twenty years of age and already wiser than his aloof companion. Not that camaraderie was Jalod's approach of choice, but in this case it worked. He had to respect that.
"Welcome, Master Jedi" said the captain happily.
"Captain" responded Qui-Gon Jin.
"When will we arrive at Naboo?" continued the Jedi Master.
"We will be arriving momentarily. I hope your mission will go well. We cannot allow for even such a powerful entity as the Trade Federation to trample basic rights of systems at will." replied Captain Skiedy with not a small bit of smugness in his voice.
"Yes, Captain" said the Jedi "but I would feel better if you ordered the crew to be on alert, but not on battle stations. We do not know how the Federation ships will react when we enter the system. It is better to avoid any misunderstandings."
"Do you think it is necessary? Any attack on us would be tantamount to the attack on the Republic."
"Still, it is better to be cautious."
"Very well. Jalod?"
The XO issued the appropriate orders.
"Commander." the elder Jedi addressed Jalod when he was finished with the comm.
"Yes, sir?"
"What do you think will be the best course to approach this situation? I understand you recently published a paper on asymmetrical warfare in space engagements?"
That stopped Jalod for a second and made him reassess the older Jedi. Maybe he wasn't so detached after all? Granted, all it took was for the Master Jedi to get files on senior officer staff, but to read through his short, though (in Jalod's opinion at least) not insignificant paper? Political studies had their uses it seemed.
"I think we should hold back. The situation is volatile enough with the blockade. Sending a single shuttle would be the prudent choice, even if it was destroyed we would be able to alert the Senate on Coruscant." he said bluntly.
'What will you make of that, Master Jedi? After all, you will be riding that shuttle.' thought Jalod not without some malice.
"A prudent choice, but I would prefer if the Peryhelion came inside their perimeter. This way it could cover the shuttle and rescue it if necessary. Do you agree captain?"
"Oh, yes. If you think it wise Master Jedi. Now tell me, what is your assessment of the succession dispute with Mindaar?" said Skiedy.
Jalod quickly tuned out the inane prattle in which the captain immersed the Jedi. His earlier respect for the Jedi diplomat vanishing, after all if their mystical powers couldn't even save them from the likes of Captain Skiedy, then they had no powers at all. His focus shifted to the younger Jedi, who was looking everywhere with keen interest, peered at the consoles over the shoulders of the bridge crew but wisely kept his distance and did not interfere with anyone's work.
'At least this one is tolerable.' thought the Commander.