STAR WARS

THE BALANCE OF THE FORCE

IT IS THE DAYS OF PEACE IN THE TIME OF THE OLD PREPUBLIC.

THE GALAXY IS PROTECTED BY THE JEDI ORDER

WHO KEEP THE PEACE BETWEEN WARRING NATIONS

AND PLANETS IN CONFLICT.

WHILE THE SENATE DEALS WITH INTERNAL PROBLEMS OF

CORRUPTION AND SCANDALS,

THE JEDI COUNCIL FOCUSES ON TRAINING THEIR OWN

AND LEARNING THE WAYS OF THE FORCE, WHILE SAFEGUARDING THE GALAXIES CITIZENS.

ON THE PLANET OF TAANAB,

FAR FROM THE SQUABBLINGS OF THE GALACTIC GOVERNMENT,

TWO JEDI JOIN THE ASSIGNMENT OF KEEPING PEACE

BEWTEEN TWO WARRING TRIBES.

Chapter 1

Taanab

The Republic Cruiser sailed gently through space towards the planet of Taanab. It was an exotic planet of blue, orange and green; vast oceans swirled with tiny islands. Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn peered through the cockpit window at this tropical planet. He nodded to the pilot and walked back to the lobby of the ship. There stood Qui-Gon's apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Obi-Wan was about twenty years of age, dressed in brown robes, short blonde hair with a single braid from his right side, the sign of a Jedi padawan.

"Have we reached Taanab?" he asked his master.

"Yes, we will be landing shortly."

"And Master Kayden is already there?"

"Yes, he and his padawan have been monitoring the situation for weeks already."

"Then what is the purpose of our visit?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Decon is a good friend of mine. He told me about the dispute and I decided it would be a good experience for you," Qui-Gon answered.

"But we've dealt with border disputes before," Obi-Wan pointed out.

"There is always more to learn."

With that they made ready to land. The Cruiser entered the planets atmosphere and flew down across the ocean surface, flying over dots of sandy islands and slivers of atolls. The approached a relatively larger island which was speckled with small spaceports and piers.

"The Hadarian port," Qui-Gon pointed out from the cockpit, "They have allowed us to keep residence there during our mediation.

"Won't the Tragans object to that? Won't they think we're taking sides?"

"Decon will have things under control."

The cruiser began its landing onto a large platform which hung over the coast, making a slow, lumbering decent from the sky.

The cruiser landed on Tanja, one of the primary islands on Taanab, and home to the Hadarian capital. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan exited the cruiser and were met instantly by two Jedis who were waiting there on the platform already.

Master Decon Kayden smiled as he shook Qui-Gon's hand. He was a well-built man, a little younger than Qui-Gon, with short dark hair. He wore no robe, but only the normal brown dressings of the standard Jedi garments.

"Qui-Gon! It's so good to see you again my friend. Thank you for coming all this way."

"Decon, my assistance is always available to you," he answered with a returning smile, "I would like you to meet Obi-Wan Kenobi, my padawan."

"And I would like you to meet my own padawan, Shen Li," he introduced the Jedi standing behind him. She was a young, beautiful woman with tanned skin and black, neck-length hair. She wore the garments of the Jedi as well, with brown robes covering her chest but not her stomach. They were both clearly dressed for tropical weather.

"This conflict between the Hadarians and the Tragans is complex, but I believe it will be a good learning experience for both our padawans Qui-Gon."

"Any experience is a learning experience," Qui-Gon pointed out.

"Ah yes," Decon laughed, "Qui-Gon Jinn the great philosopher. Anyways, follow us. We have your quarters arranged here in the Hadarian port. We will take you to meet the negotiators once you are settled."

Their quarters were sleek and comfortable, with a window overlooking the view of the ocean and surrounding islands. A druid was stationed with them to bring them whatever refreshments they desired.

"We need no refreshments at the moment," Qui-Gon told the druid, "Please let Master Kayden know we are ready to meet the negotiators."

"Very well," the protocol druid said in a squeaky voice as he left the room.

"It seems very calm here," Obi-Wan pointed out, "Very unlike other negotiations we have observed."

"That is when we must be most weary," Qui-Gon warned him.

The druid returned moments later and said "Follow me."

The druid took them to the main conference room in the port where Decon and Shen were waiting outside. In the room they saw two different species on opposite ends of a large table.

The Hadarians were of normal human build, only with gray skin and gills on their faces. They looked tough yet reasonable. The Tragans looked much tougher however, with large shoulders and brown skin, with stretched out faces and tusks coming from each side of their mouths.

"There are now four Jedi?" the Tragan leader said gruffly as he saw the newcomers, "What is the need for four?"

"They send more because you continue to deny us a solution!" The Hadarian leader spoke up with a glubby voice.

"Gentlemen, please," Qui-Gon said calmly, "We thank you for accommodating us. We are here to hear both sides and to help only."

"You know nothing of the history of the Tragans or you would know that the Yarga islands have always been in our possession."

"There have been no Tragans in the Yargas for centuries! You cannot abandon it and then come back to reclaim anytime you wish!"

"Garbok, Yul, please. We shall hear both of your claims. Perhaps it will be more useful to hear them each separately," Decon suggested.

"Perhaps," Qui-Gon agreed.

"No doubt you will take the Hadarian's side, as you have took their lodgings, Jedi," Garbok scowled, "We have nothing more to say today. Perhaps tomorrow we will talk."

With that the Tragans left the room.

"Tomorrow then," Qui-Gon nodded to the others, looking not at all disappointed.