The Guardians

Rating: K
Summary: Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi are sent to find out the truth from miner reports of another possible candidate for the Jedi.
Notes: This story is a sequel to Initus.
Disclaimer: All canon characters are owned by the Great Flanneled one, and now Disney. All others are mine. I make no money off this.
Timeline: 43 BBY

Speech: " "
Training bond communication: /
Internal thoughts: italics

Chapter One

Fifteen-year-old Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi looked over the cockpit controls once again. It had been three years since he was apprenticed to Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. If he thought being an initiate was difficult, it was nothing compared to being a full padawan. At least his friends were apprenticed. That made him happy. The four of them had stayed up late in Bant's room talking about their masters and how different they were from one another. By the time he got back to his own room he collapsed into bed and slept until his chrono went off.

Having fun with his friends was one thing. What wasn't good was that he never even read the datafile for his upcoming mission. This particular mission in fact.

If Obi-Wan knew anything about his master, it was that the older Jedi already knew that he didn't spend any time in preparation. He didn't even get in any morning meditations.

A flickering reflection from one of the viewscreens caught his attention. Obi-Wan turned and watched as his Master entered the cockpit and sat down in the co-pilots seat. Qui-Gon had shoulder length dark brown hair and a beard that was barely showing any hints of gray.

Knowing what was coming, Obi-Wan frowned and then let out a sigh.

"What is it, Padawan?"

Obi-Wan hoped he could say what was on his mind in such a way that he knew at least where they were headed. "How long will mission take?"

Qui-Gon gave him a look that spoke otherwise. At least he didn't state outright how well he knew of Obi-Wan's penchant to spend more time with his friends than studying and preparing for their missions. "Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan frowned as he looked away. He knew he was caught. Qui-Gon didn't have to say anything else. "Sorry, Master," he finally mumbled.

"Padawan, I know you enjoy being with your friends, but that is secondary. Being a Jedi is first and foremost," the reprimand came out loud and clear.

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan knew not to complain, instead, he rose from his seat and went in search for his datapad. After finding it and reading over the information, he went back into the cockpit and sat down in the now vacated co-pilot's seat. "Master, have you been in Wild Space before?"

Instead of a frown, Qui-Gon actually smiled. He glanced at the instruments then over to Obi-Wan, "Some parts of it, but never to this particular planet."

"Ter System," Obi-Wan read the overview again. "Have you ever heard of 'guardians' before?" He paused. "All I have is that miners report about them ever so often." He let his voice trail off. At this point, he wasn't sure if he should take what they told the High Council truthfully, or with a grain of salt.

"I don't really think miners would lie to lure Jedi, even if it's to a place such as this."

Something about Qui-Gon's words bothered him. "But what if they did, Master? We're so far out that we would have no way of getting any kind of help in time from the Temple."

Qui-Gon answered with another smile. "We will face that trial if it comes, Padawan. Plus, it's pirates that we need to be cautious of, not miners."

Obi-Wan turned back to the large viewscreen, trying not to let his master's comments bother him more than they already did. Who are these guardians, he wondered once again. From what he read it looked more like a rumor than anything else. "Do you think these rumors could be some sort of superstition?"

"Maybe. Most miners, though are levelheaded because of the dangers of their occupation." Qui-Gon paused, "Think of it this way Padawan. Because of the inherent danger of what we do, do Republic citizens think we have superstitions?"

Obi-Wan was not expecting that. He pressed his lips together, trying to digest what Qui-Gon said. "I guess," he began, "I never really thought of it that way."

The jump into the farthest areas of Wild Space was peaceful enough, and soon they were hoovering in orbit over an unnamed planet. It was the right coordinates, which was good. Obi-Wan was expecting to encounter at least some amount of debris in orbit. There wasn't any. What bothered him even more was that whey they crossed over and saw inky blackness down below. There was no light pollution. No light pollution meant no technology, or so Obi-Wan believed.

/Master./

Through the Force, Obi-Wan could feel Qui-Gon approach. "I see we've arrived."

"Yes," Obi-Wan nodded. "I'm not sure if this is the correct place, though."

"Why's that?" Qui-Gon sat down in the co-pilot's seat and looked over the instrumentation.

Obi-Wan frowned. "Shouldn't there be at least some debris in orbit? At first I thought this was the wrong planet."

"Maybe, Padawan."

Obi-Wan glanced over to Qui-Gon before turning his attention back to the instruments. "I would have also thought there would be at least something."

Pulling out his own datapad, Qui-Gon tapped out a few commands and then began reading the information that now began to scroll across the screen. "There was a mining expedition sent here several millennial ago. They lost contact so another was sent. That too disappeared. It was assumed all were killed."

"Why didn't I get that information?"

The older Jedi indicated his datapad. "When Tahl found out where we were going, she gave me this."

"So is that information only for Masters?"

"I'm not sure." Qui-Gon held the datapad by its edge and tapped it against his other hand.

"Well, if no one returned, then what about us?"

"Trust in the Force, Padawan."

Qui-Gon's comment was not what Obi-Wan was wanting to hear.

The planet below looked innocent. Using scanners on the blue and green orb produced an abundance of life, but that was it. Calibrating the sensors for dense clusters of life proved more effective. In the equatorial region there were quite a few settlements, if they could even be called that. Obi-Wan wasn't sure if they were truly settlements or just groups of life forms in the same area. Under Qui-Gon's direction, he recalibrated the sensors once again to search for any metal or any form of technology.

The screen came up blank. It looked like there was little in way of metal forms, or droids down below.

"Master," Obi-Wan called over his shoulder. When the older Jedi appeared, he continued, "I've the largest settlement's position in the nava computer. I also scanned for metal forms like you asked, but nothing came up." He indicated the blank screen.

"Interesting." Qui-Gon pursed his lips before placing a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. "Very good, Padawan." He went to sit back down. "I want you to land the ship far enough away so that we won't startle the locals with our presence."

"Or the ship." Obi-Wan turned his attention back to the controls. With minimal interference from the atmosphere, they were soon flying just above the treetops and headed towards one of the nearest clearings. "How long has it been?"

"For what, Padawan?"

Obi-Wan split his attention between looking for a clearing the right size, and his master. "That the miners landed here?"

Qui-Gon reached for his datapad once again and pulled up the information, "At least two millennia, maybe even three."

"So they might not have much in the way of technology."

"Or their technology moved in a different direction. One can never be too careful with a meeting such as this." Qui-Gon gave him a knowing look while reaching for the straps to secure himself into the seat.

"Or they could all be dead."

"Don't be so sure, Padawan."

Obi-Wan nodded as he focused his attention on the task before him. "There," he indicated with a nod.

"Very good, Padawan." Qui-Gon placed his datapad on his lap as Obi-Wan brought the ship around and landed in the clearing.

When the engines were powered down, the two Jedi went for their traveling bags and exited the ship. The trees were tall, and a light ash type substance drifted down from the leaves high above.

"What is this stuff?" Obi-Wan scrunched up his face as he looked towards the tree branches. One got in his nose and he sneezed.

Qui-Gon looked up, but shaded his eyes. "I'm not sure." He frowned then turned his attention back to the trees before them. They shuddered and a loud buzzing sound came down and surrounded them. The two quickly pulled their hoods over their heads and knelt down.

Obi-Wan could feel it on the edge of his senses. It wasn't much, but something was there. /We're not alone, Master./

/I know./

As quick as the swarm started, it was over, leaving the forest eerily silent. Standing up, Obi-Wan and then Qui-Gon lowered their hoods and looked at each other.

"We need to keep moving." Qui-Gon cleared his throat and continued in the direction of the largest cluster of lifeforms Obi-Wan found on the scanners.

Obi-Wan stood there for several minutes with a frown on his face trying to concentrate on the presence just at the edge of his senses.

"Come Padawan," Qui-Gon called.

The Jedi's voice brought him back. "Yes, Master." Obi-Wan hurried to catch up with Qui-Gon. The Jedi master was almost out of sight, but easy enough to catch up.

A short time later they reached the outskirts of an abandoned settlement. Thinking it was best, the two retreated back into the forest, but close enough to see if the place was truly abandoned. It was almost impossible to see how early or late it was because of the tree canopy. All they could tell was that it was still light.

Settling down near the base of a large tree, Qui-Gon pulled out two rations from the ship's storage for their meal. Hopefully this would be the only time they used the prepackaged meals. The sound of small birdlike creatures was the only thing that broke the silence. "No fire?" Obi-Wan asked between bites.

"Not until we know for certain it's safe, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan watched as Qui-Gon pulled out a small canister and removed the lid before unscrewing the top. Using the lid as a cup, he poured some dark liquid into it and took a sip. Even from this distance he could smell the aroma of sapir. If there was one thing he knew, his master never went anywhere without his tea.

TBC….