Chapter 2 - A Cold Wind
Dagobah
Qui-Gon Jinn utilized the Force to navigate his commercial freighter through the murky stratosphere of Dagobah. Headed for a clearing of soft mud, the simple craft began to decelerate.
Due to zero visibility, landing on the fog-shrouded planet should have been impossible. However, by understanding certain subtleties of the Force, Qui-Gon landed the ship with relative ease. As if non-existent, Dagobah's unpredictable atmosphere created no difficulty for the Jedi Grand Master.
The entire approach was made with little effort, from planetary insertion to the landing cycle, for Qui-Gon Jinn possessed an astounding knowledge of the Force. This deep comprehension had been achieved within the Jedi Order millennia ago. Remaining unmatched for over a thousand generations, it returned with Jinn.
He'd been afforded a wondrous gift. The Force enveloped Qui-Gon, and its soothing undulations guided him through the thick, misty layers of the planet. In fact, he had hardly touched the ship's controls during the flight. Qui-Gon's mental abilities had grown exponentially.
After the delicate landing, Qui-Gon searched his feelings. It seemed as if the Force had somehow controlled the freighter independently, but Grand Master Jinn knew better. The Force was still obeying his commands and controlling his actions simultaneously.
If there was anyone else on board, the tiny ship might have appeared to fly itself. That's how proficient Qui-Gon had become at communicating with midi-chlorians. He was now accustomed to many of the powers he'd acquired upon that fateful day… the day he and Master Yoda had battled Sidious.
The soft clearing of dark brown mud was also a peninsula. Qui-Gon's tiny freighter was parked at the center, gently pressed against the top layer of sludge. Its cockpit faced a line of gnarled trees, which represented an entrance to the thick jungle. The remaining three sides of the clearing were bordered by swamp.
Grand Master Jinn could feel the Force emanating from the unique surface of the dank planet. It enveloped Qui-Gon and caressed the ship. 'Time to go,' he decided.
The pensive Jedi exited his cockpit and swiftly walked through a small cargo hold filled with junk and machinery. While nearing the vessel's rear hatch, Qui-Gon used the Force to levitate a deactivated droid. Oddly enough, it was an ancient T3-series cleaning unit with no upper appendages.
Next, the Force assisted Qui-Gon as he dropped down to the muddy peninsula below. It acted against gravity, allowing for a feather-like descent. Mystically cushioned, his boots generated no sound when hitting the mud. The antique droid floated out of the rear hatch as a result of telekinesis.
Surrounded by uncharted swamp on three sides, Qui-Gon quickly walked across the clearing. Still affected by the Force, the deactivated droid hovered behind him and followed. Reaching the line of gnarled trees, Jinn motioned towards a nearby stump. The T3-series droid floated over to the stump and landed on it. Qui-Gon peered ahead at the dark jungle beyond.
Mynocks and other airborne creatures screeched at Qui-Gon from above. The Jedi hardly took notice, for he had been to Dagobah quite often recently. Ominous bubbles floated to the top of the adjacent swamps, proving that the planet was home to aquatic wildlife as well.
Sitting on a log near the stump, Qui-Gon used a hydrospanner from his utility belt to easily remove the droid's head. This simple detachment revealed a hidden switch that Jinn immediately flipped, activating the droid. Qui-Gon reattached the antique head while the booting process was concluding.
The droid began to hum, and various beeps were heard. Suddenly, a large green photoreceptor on the head started to glow, with two smaller 'eyes' lighting up next. The disc-shaped head swiveled around to study Qui-Gon Jinn. Thanks to a recently installed meshgrille vocabulator, the droid spoke decent Basic. "Hello." The droid rolled off the stump and up to Jinn's boots. "T3-Q8 at your service." The female voice was high, but pleasant.
Qui-Gon Jinn addressed the droid. "Hi Slicer."
"Incorrect," the droid stated. "My designation is T3-Q8. I am produced by Duwani Mechanical Products for the sole purpose of spreading extreme cleanliness."
"No," Qui-Gon said calmly. "Your designation is Slicer. I am Jedi Grand Master Qui-Gon Jinn." He'd been through this exchange before.
"Negative. It's against my programming to assist anyone impersonating a Jedi Grand Master," she explained plainly. Her head swiveled around as she gathered information on the environment.
Remaining perfectly calm, Qui-Gon responded. "Then just consider me Qui-Gon Jinn."
She rolled around, circling one of the gnarled trees while taking in statistics about the nearby jungle. "Very well," the droid said to Qui-Gon before rolling eastward through some dense foliage. "Thanks for attaching my antenna and circular saw, but where are my arms?"
"Patience. You'll have them soon enough." Pushing dozens of vines aside, Qui-Gon Jinn followed T3-Q8 into the Dagobah jungle.
Beneath the high jungle canopy, they traveled eastward for eight standard minutes. Another group of knotted trees, this time massive in size, blocked any further progression.
Grand Master Jinn put his hand to his chin and looked north. The canopy thickened substantially in that direction, and the route would be much darker. He spoke to the droid. "Slicer, stay here and monitor the area." Qui-Gon turned and began to trek northward before she could respond.
The droid was roughly two and a half feet tall. She looked up at the back of Qui-Gon's outer tunic while her green photoreceptor illuminated the surrounding leaves. "I am far more proficient at computer-slicing and repair than surveillance."
Qui-Gon was already twenty feet away. "Monitor the area," he calmly replied, without any trace of annoyance.
"Yes, Master Jinn." The response came without her usual enthusiasm.
The Jedi laughed to himself while proceeding through the jungle. He had grown quite fond of Slicer. T3-series utility droids were stereotyped by most sentient beings. Seen as useless relics from the Jedi Civil War, these T3s often became problematic, especially when integrated with newer technology. Older models developed snippy personalities if a vocabulator was installed. Nevertheless, Grand Master Jinn had his reasons for piecing Slicer together. She was a predecessor to the popular astromech droid, and Qui-Gon had built her with a purpose.
His mind shifted back to the task at hand as the mists began. He entered a wet, murky clearing. Large piles of broken branches were strewn about haphazardly. Donning a brown poncho, Qui-Gon navigated around the stacks. The misting gained intensity as he reached the next section of jungle.
A path leading northeast stretched out among the foliage. Qui-Gon walked along the trail and his mentality shifted again. He progressed with one question on his mind. 'Will Obi-Wan heed my words at Mustafar?'
Grand Master Jinn had shared much with his apprentice back on Tatooine. He knew all too well that Obi-Wan would not retain every detail. Kenobi continued to be preoccupied with Anakin's fate, and the guilt undoubtedly affected his concentration. Even though the epic duel transpired an entire year ago, Qui-Gon still found it difficult to capture the forefront of his Padawan's attention.
The tasks appointed to Obi-Wan were important, and the wisdom Qui-Gon had shared with him was invaluable. However, the Mustafar mission would only be successful if Kenobi acquired knowledge by learning a pivotal lesson. Presently, this was the crux of Obi-Wan's training.
Nearing the end of the trail, Qui-Gon allowed himself an encouraging thought. He recalled the words spoken to Obi-Wan.
"The river… it calls to you."
Though Obi-Wan's psyche was in terrible disarray, Qui-Gon remained hopeful. These words would generate a keen awareness that Kenobi so desperately needed.
The pathway ended, leading straight to a vast section of marshland. Qui-Gon chose to traverse the new terrain eastward. His boots should have produced a plop with every footfall, but the Force was still pushing him along. He glided across the shallow marsh, displacing no water or mud.
As Grand Master Jinn shifted his trajectory to northeast, it began to rain. He mentally pinpointed his destination and thought about the awkwardness forthcoming. The new arrangement had been strange for all involved. Obi-Wan and Yoda, both Jedi Masters, were now apprenticed to Qui-Gon.
Ever since their defeat at the hands of Sidious, both Yoda and Qui-Gon knew the change was inevitable. Confirmed for Yoda by the Force itself, Qui-Gon Jinn had acquired inexplicable powers that day. In fact, it was Yoda who bestowed the title of Grand Master upon Jinn.
Issuing orders to Yoda was hard for Qui-Gon. The diminutive Jedi Master could be quite defiant, and Obi-Wan teased that Jinn was getting a taste of his own medicine. Yoda had no problem giving up his authority for the Jedi Order's greater good, but he would never abandon his own opinions. Besides, Qui-Gon wasn't the only one with new skills. Yoda had gained knowledge that day as well, unbeknownst to his fellow Jedi.
The heavier rains commenced. Up ahead, beams of light siphoned out across the low-lying swampland from a makeshift hut. Shielding his eyes from the pelting raindrops, Qui-Gon completed his journey.
He crawled into the tiny abode, removed his poncho, and threw it against the wall. Next, he moved to the hut's center and sat cross-legged. Dozens of bright candles were placed on the southwest windowsill. Relaxing in bed, Yoda nestled his head against a small pillow.
"Master Yoda… I have returned," Qui-Gon announced. Though the hierarchy had changed, he still made it a point to address Yoda as Master.
Yoda sat up, letting the blanket fall to the floor. "Yes Master Qui-Gon… returned you have."
Due to the harder rains, a distinct mist could be felt in the hut. "I suppose a talk is long overdue," Qui-Gon stated with a hint of sadness.
Dropping down to the floor, Yoda responded. "Yes yes, have a talk we will." He hobbled over to a nearby kettle. "Patience. Eat first we must. Hmm?" The embers beneath the kettle were glowing.
Qui-Gon exhibited the slightest indication of a smile. "Now Master Yoda," he said with some much needed mirth, "I can't eat in here. There's not enough room for me."
"Hmm," Yoda replied, "Eat outside we must. Yes, surrounded by nature." He let out a unique laugh that echoed through the hut. "Good food."
Qui-Gon's smile intensified, and he decided to play along. Yoda's first year as a recluse had altered his personality a bit. His playful mannerisms returned. Grand Master Jinn certainly knew the difficulties associated with exile, so he tolerated Yoda's somewhat artificial merriment.
"Very well," Qui-Gon told his friend. Leaving his poncho, he crawled back out of the hut and stood in the diminishing rain.
Yoda followed, exiting on foot. "A light drizzle matters not." He handed Qui-Gon a cup and spoon made of wood. In his other hand, Yoda held his own cup of so-called food. He left his gimer stick within the hut.
The pair of Jedi climbed on top of the sturdy hut. Yoda moved spryly for his age, and sat upon the center of the roof. Qui-Gon sat on the entry 'crawlspace' that jutted out from the main room. Due to the positioning, the Masters were face-to-face.
A wooden spoon detached from Yoda's belt and floated to his free hand. He began eating in the rain, while Qui-Gon swirled his spoon around the concoction. Hopefully, he wouldn't discover anything lurking inside. Smelling the meal, he found the aroma pleasant enough.
For five standard minutes, the two of them sat there eating in silence. Bogwings and vine snakes shrieked from the canopy above. Yoda looked up from his cup and noticed a serious look etched across Qui-Gon's face. As rain trickled down their Jedi tunics, they began the inevitable talk.
"Help him we must," Yoda declared, all traces of playfulness now gone.
"I take it his quest isn't proceeding as we planned?" Qui-Gon's response came quickly.
The duo stopped eating as tension mounted.
"Help him now we must." Yoda repeated his suggestion.
"His journey was designed by the Force itself," Qui-Gon said emphatically. "I have no doubt that he will come through."
"Seen him I have," Yoda revealed. "Troubling the vision is."
"He must let go," Qui-Gon explained dryly, "for his regret clouds his reality."
Interrupting the exchange, a pack of bogwings emerged from the foliage and flew up to the jungle canopy.
"Go to Obi-Wan I must," Yoda pointed out with intensity. Downcast, he exhaled.
Qui-Gon pondered Yoda's fervor for a moment. Then, he shook his head. "No Master Yoda. Your destiny is the cave."
Yoda sighed vehemently. "Trained me well you have," he shared truthfully. "Grateful I am… but our failure with the boy-"
A stern look, which caused Yoda to halt mid-sentence, appeared across Qui-Gon's face. The Grand Master jumped up and stood upon the roof, seemingly rattled. Any mention of Anakin angered him.
Sighing again, Yoda knew that he said too much.
"We will do what we must!" Qui-Gon yelled in a rare show of emotion. "I have put the ones I care about through…" He stopped, and threw his cup and spoon into the wet jungle. Regaining his composure, he descended to the waterlogged morass below. Walking over to the nearest Gnarltree, he calmly finished. "…terribly arduous ordeals."
Yoda dropped off of his hut. Qui-Gon's cup and spoon floated back out of the jungle and into Yoda's waiting hands. He shook his green head. "Master Qui-Gon, misread the prophecy was… and our failure with Sidious-"
Once again, Qui-Gon cut Yoda off. It was something he'd never attempted before today. "Obi-Wan must be ready for Luke," he declared. No longer flustered, he went on. "This ensures that the plan works."
"Go back we must… confront Sidious," Yoda explained. "Train Luke I won't."
The rain stopped and Qui-Gon walked back to the hut. He looked at his small friend and spoke. "I'm sorry my friend. I let my emotions get the better of me." He paused and dropped to one knee. "If you wish to help Obi-Wan, then I cannot stop you."
Yoda thought about this, nodded, and returned to the comfort of his humble abode. Qui-Gon stood up and mentally prepared himself for the trek back to his freighter.
Qui-Gon's apology was nothing but sincere. Nevertheless, the Jedi Masters came to a collaborative decision through the Force. They would go their separate ways.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
The next several hours were mentally difficult for the two Jedi Masters. Both pensive, they each deliberated on a course of action independently.
Qui-Gon journeyed back to his freighter, meeting up with Slicer along the way. The droid loyally followed him to the muddy clearing.
Yoda sat cross-legged next to his warm kettle. He dropped into a meditative state and concentrated hard.
They were both pondering the outcome of their crucial exchange. Though exhausting, analysis of the situation proved to be cathartic.
Technically, they weren't avoiding each other. They simply couldn't devise a mutually acceptable plan, so time apart became the best option.
Next to one of the twisted trees near his freighter, Qui-Gon sat on a mossy log. Still thinking to himself, he patted Slicer's disc-shaped head lightly. T3-Q8 warbled a response in Droidspeak rather than Basic. She was intentionally avoiding a conversation about Qui-Gon's feelings. The Jedi would have ignored her input anyway, for he was wrapped up in his complex musings.
Qui-Gon felt embarrassed about his emotional outburst earlier. Though he regained his composure in front of Yoda, some of the anger still lingered. He needed more time with his thoughts in order to properly cool off from the heated disagreement.
Dagobah's heavy rains started up again. Master Jinn stood and walked to the back of his freighter. The jungle peninsula had become quite humid. He grabbed another cheap poncho from the cargo hold, put it on, and headed back to the log.
It had been drizzling steadily since Qui-Gon left the hut, but this was a downpour. He donned his hood as the relentless raindrops sliced through the jungle canopy. Focused on the sound, he heard the water pounding against the Gnarltrees.
Again, Qui-Gon sat upon the log. He stirred some mud with a long stick, deep in thought. Placing one hand upon his cheek, he let out a soft sigh.
As for Yoda, the meditation proved helpful. His decision was made three hours after Jinn had left. He exited the makeshift hut and stared at the jungle to the northwest. "Pure this planet is, and strong with the Force." He was about to trek towards a remote area of forests and lakes. The Jedi Master wore his utility belt and backpack.
Suddenly, Qui-Gon Jinn dropped the stick. He looked at the jungle curiously. Slicer warbled in Binary once again.
Somehow, Qui-Gon knew Yoda's destination. "He's going to the sacred place," the Grand Master whispered to himself, "but why? To get there, he'd have to travel beyond the cave."
This was odd. Yoda often journeyed there to meditate. However, something felt out of place. Qui-Gon reached out with the Force to keep track of Yoda's progress.
Once again, he stood. Walking back to his ship, Qui-Gon questioned to himself. 'Will Yoda enter the cave, or go around it?' Slicer followed and the rain ceased. The last few droplets streamed down Jinn's poncho and dripped to the mud.
Qui-Gon thought about his discord with Yoda. 'What's out of place?' Grand Master Jinn wanted Obi-Wan's pilgrimage to take place without assistance, but Master Yoda had other ideas. Yoda wanted to face Sidious again, but Qui-Gon refused.
Qui-Gon's mental tangent brought about certain recollections. During the past few months, Jinn had taught Yoda various combat styles. However, Qui-Gon still felt they were outmatched by Palpatine and his raw fighting skill.
Yoda knew that he had to brush up on the Vaapad style if any attempt was to be made at defeating Sidious. However, Qui-Gon denied him the tutelage. According to Jinn, locating the galaxy's self-proclaimed Emperor would be nearly impossible. It would be even more difficult to reach him.
'Besides,' Qui-Gon thought, 'Vapaad wasn't necessary. Yoda could disarm opponents by simply waving his hand.' The powerful green Jedi was accustomed to using this skill. Qui-Gon had seen it many times. 'That's how we get to Sidious… but not until Yoda is ready.'
Qui-Gon failed to realize that he wielded such power also. If he so desired, the Grand Master could incapacitate dozens of enemies with a mere thought.
He entered the cargo hold again and realized he'd left it open during his time on the log. Rain had flooded about an inch of the hold, but Jinn wasn't concerned. Slicer, still using Droidspeak, beeped at him, but he was lost in his own meditation now, reaching out with the Force.
'What's out of place?' Qui-Gon mused again. He knew that Yoda had acquired some knowledge during their battle with Sidious. However, he didn't know that Yoda now possessed a Sith Holocron.
Yoda reached the cave, instantly pondering Qui-Gon's words.
"Your destiny is the cave."
This section of the jungle was ominously dark. A chilly mist surrounded the green Jedi Master. Yoghurt and Lahdia plants adorned the cave's entrance. Using the Force, Yoda pushed all of the foliage aside. Bogwings and mynocks flew out of the cave and took shelter in the jungle's upper canopy.
Yoda chose not to enter the cave. Instead, standing next to an adjacent lagoon, he removed his backpack. Sitting upon Dagobah's muddy suface, he closed his gold-green eyes. Tiny tendrils of blue electricity began to protrude from his fingertips.
Seconds turned to minutes, and the tendrils started to cycle from finger to finger. Finally, Yoda spoke. "Obi-Wan… hear me."
Still in a meditative state, Qui-Gon Jinn could feel Yoda's presence. The Force told him that Yoda was about to do something drastic. 'Why hasn't he entered the cave?' he thought to himself.
Yoda was flirting with the dark side. Stirring up raw power, he stood. The electric tendrils became bolts of pure lightning. They shot outward from Yoda's hands in various directions. Nearby jungle creatures were frightened by the uncontrollable electricity. Dragonsnakes and sleens made their way somewhere else.
Qui-Gon's meditation ended abruptly. "No!" he hollered with eyes wide open. He flew out of the cargo hold and immediately ran across the peninsula. Sprinting into the jungle, he used the Force to enhance his speed. He darted around flora and jumped over huge sections of bog. Soon, the trees became one fluid blur, for Jinn was traveling faster than ever before.
Slicer did her best to follow, but the droid wasn't designed for high speed. She was left behind the instant Jinn started.
Qui-Gon yelled "No!" several times during his sprint. The frequent repetition was to no avail. Yoda continued with the ritual.
Wreathed by currents of blue electricity, a circular portal began to take shape in front of Yoda. In a matter of seconds, it was fully materialized and pulsating wildly. Sparks coursed outward from the center.
Grand Master Jinn was just arriving when Yoda entered the unbalanced gateway. Breathing rapidly, Qui-Gon leaned against an enormous rock to steady himself. The shimmering blue portal shrunk and vanished.
A cold wind swept through the trees.
Qui-Gon realized the severity of Yoda's actions. An unpredictable energy had been unleashed. The Jedi Grand Master could only hope that Obi-Wan would refuse Yoda's help.
{Revised 10/25/18}
~to be continued
