Choices

Rating: T+
Summary: Obi-Wan has a major decision to make concerning his future either with or without the Jedi
Disclaimer: All cannon characters are owned by the Great Flanneled One, and now Disney. All others are mine. I make no money off this.
Note: This is a sequel to The Crucible

Timeline: 40BBY

Speech: " "
Training Bond communications: /
Internal thoughts: italics

Chapter Two

After his morning meditations, Obi-Wan joined Qui-Gon in the Master Jedi's temporary chambers for breakfast. It turned out that the locked door connected his room with Qui-Gon's. Not having to go out into the hall, Obi-Wan came through the doorway and approached the table. His mind wandered as he looked from the food to the walls covered in tapestries, then back to the food again.

Qui-Gon's hand stopped and lowered it back to the table. "Pondering what will become of us during our time here on Vasda, Padawan?"

Obi-Wan's attention snapped back. He shook his head then grinned. "Not so much, Mater. It's much more simple. I was hoping if we could persuade the kitchen staff here to come back with us to begin preparing the meals in the refractory."

Qui-Gon laughed while shaking his head. "I don't think it would be as simple as you mentioned, Padawan. You should understand by now that there are some things that are poisonous to us, but not to say your friend Reeft would eat."

Mock hurt flashed across Obi-Wan's face as he pressed a hand to his heart, before disappearing. Eventually he shrugged, "It was only a suggestion, Master."

"I know."

Obi-Wan opened his mouth to complain, but closed it when Qui-Gon gave him that look. /Your thoughts betray you, and are not conductive to being a Padawan./

Obi-Wan looked down at his plate of half eaten breakfast food. "Sorry, Master," he mumbled.

Before Qui-Gon could accept his apology a single rap on the door interrupted them. The two Jedi looked at each other then turned to the door and reached out with the Force to see if the one interrupting them meant them any harm, or not.

Sensing nothing malicious, Qui-Gon nodded towards the door. With a sigh Obi-Wan rose from his seat to see who it was. There was another rap on the door. Opening it, the man standing on the outside had his fist balled up and was about to knock on the door once again but took a step back, his eyes wide. Regaining his composure, he bowed, "Master Jedi."

Obi-Wan shook his head and backed away, letting the servant look into the room and towards the one he really needed to address. With a quick look over his shoulder he could see Qui-Gon already on his feet and coming towards the door.

"I am Master Jinn. Yes?"

"Master Jedi," the servant began again. "The Viceroy requests your presence."

Qui-Gon nodded while going over to the bed where his cloak was draped across the flat surface. As he grasped it, he looked towards Obi-Wan, "Come, Padawan. It's time."

As Qui-Gon crossed the room Obi-Wan grasped his own cloak and put it on as they left the room. "Yes, Master," he kept his voice low. When they were in the corridor he dropped back a step and moved to the left, letting Qui-Gon take the lead. Leaving the hall they entered back into one of the opulently decorated rooms. They moved through that and into another, with the servant not even paying that much attention to the decorations.

With so much going on Obi-Wan soon found his mind beginning to wander.

/Remember to observe everything,/ Qui-Gon gently reminded.

Obi-Wan stumbled, not expecting the instruction. He quickened his pace to catch back up to Qui-Gon. /Yes, Master./ As they moved through the large house he tried to let their route imprint on his mind, but it was difficult. He knew that Qui-Gon wasn't bothered by it. When they finally reached their destination Obi-Wan had a hard time trying to remember where they were, for he was completely turned around.

The room they stepped into, and what turned out to be their final destination was somewhat large. The dark walls had shelves that held narrow objects of various heights and colors. In the center were several areas where one could sit and have any type of discussion, while in one of the corners held what looked like a desk of sorts. Between the shelving were tall windows letting in the morning sunlight. Obi-Wan had no idea what the objects on the shelves were, and was too embarrassed to ask.

"My head hurts," Obi-Wan complained as he rubbed his temples with his fingers.

Compassion flowed over from Qui-Gon's side of the bond. Obi-Wan looked up only to find the Master Jedi with a matching smile. "Don't worry, you will reach the point where it is second nature." He placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I hope it's sooner rather than later," Obi-Wan muttered. As soon as the servant left, Obi-Wan wandered around the room. Stopping by a window, he let his hand travel down the material as he looked outside. /What is that smell?/

/That, Padawan, is the smell of knowledge./

Obi-Wan turned from the window to the shelves closest to him. The aurebesh lettering on the narrow objects allowed him to read what was on them. He pulled out one and found that it opened and there was more writing on the bound flimsi pages. The odd smell was even more intense. Scrunching up his nose he placed the object back where he took it from.

"I see you found the source of your discomfort."

Looking up, Obi-Wan found a wry look on his Master's face. Instead of answering, he wandered over to the ancient looking desk. After a short inspection he found out that it was quite modern. "There's nothing like this in the archives. Why do those smell that way?" he indicated the shelves.

"It's the dust you smell," a new voice came from behind them.

Both Jedi turned to face the owner of the voice. Several men with complexions about as dark as Master Windu stood in the hall with one in the doorway itself. Qui-Gon nodded and walked across the room, which made Obi-Wan follow him. He stopped just as Obi-Wan reached his side. With his hands clasped in front, and hidden by the sleeves of his cloak, they bowed in respect.

"Viceroy Pedar," Qui-Gon began the introductions. "I am Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, and this is Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi."

The man in the center nodded. He wasn't quite as tall as Qui-Gon but he had that aura about him that spoke of leadership. He furrowed his brow when he turned to look at Obi-Wan, but said nothing. For a moment it looked as if he were thinking of something. When it was apparent that he made up his mind, he sighed while touching his fingers to his forehead. "I am Tomas Pedar. I chose this room for our meeting because it is more inviting than either the formal reception room or the throne room."

Odd introductions, Obi-Wan mused as he backed away and watched while the Viceroy and then Qui-Gon moved deeper into the library.

"As you know," the Viceroy said over his shoulder, "The Republic will not interfere with non member planets. They will only help if we have one government for them to interact with."

"Which is why you contacted the Jedi High Council," Qui-Gon answered.

"Yes." Tomas indicated a chair while he sat down in another available seat. When they were settled he continued, "As Viceroy of Marlote I have some authority here, but none down in Berland, which is to the south. The real power in Marlote comes from a joint council made up of representatives from the different areas. It's our version of not having too much power in one person." He paused, "You probably noticed a desert region to the west."

Qui-Gon nodded. "Yes."

"It's too far back in history to know the name of the area, but as you could tell, it was completely destroyed. That was only the beginning of the conflict, for the remaining areas turned on each other completely devastating Vasda in the process. We are all the descendants of the ones who weren't able to flee. It's only been in the last few centuries that we even regained the ability to reach out into space. And with space travel comes more jealousy, especially from Berland. They are at odds with us and refuse to even take the chance to listen to our side, though we try to understand them."

"It sounds as if you need a negotiator."

Tomas rubbed his hands together. "Hopefully only that. I am afraid of what might happen if Berland actually attacks us. Like I mentioned before, they're jealous of what's been happening here. The only thing I can come up with is that their government is highly corrupt."

"And ignoring that Marlote might be in the same position as they are."

"Yes. Berland is accusing me of being in complete control of the planet, when I really have no power here in Marlote. All I can do is ask our own governing council to reach out and try to negotiate to a peaceful settlement. I don't want anything to happen, but it looks like things are heading in the wrong direction." Tomas looked out the window and to the top of the trees just outside. "Nothing is simple anymore."

Qui-Gon nodded while glancing over to Obi-Wan. Eventually he turned his attention back to the Viceroy.

"I know," Tomas continued, "That my life is in danger." As if in corroboration of his words sirens could be heard off in the distance.

Qui-Gon's eyes flickered towards the window and then back to Tomas. "My Lord, I will need to see your security arrangements as soon as possible."

Tomas nodded. His relief was palpable. "Yes, yes, of course. I will make sure that you have all the time you need to speak with the head of security. Marton's fully vetted and has proven to me over the years just how trustworthy he has been. With him in control the danger has lessened somewhat, but I'm not sure how much longer that will last."

Obi-Wan opened his mouth to say something. Technically he wasn't supposed to participate because of his probation, but he did anyway. "Your Highness, whatever it is that you think will happen I hope we will have time to prepare." Only after the fact did he realize that he probably should not have said anything. /Sorry, Master./

/Padawan./ Qui-Gon didn't show his reactions, but he did send his disapproval through their bond.

/Sorry, Master,/ he apologized again. /I know I shouldn't have spoken because of the probation./

Tomas inclined his head towards Obi-Wan. "Thank you, Jedi. I just wish I didn't have to call your council and bring you into our problems."

"We are here already," Qui-Gon leaned back in his seat. "And we're actually glad that you were able to reach out to us before things grew any worse. I feel if you had waited there would be nothing we could do to help salvage the situation."

Embolden by how he wasn't verbally chastised, Obi-Wan continued, "You believe that you've failed your people in having to call us."

Surprise crossed the Viceroy's face before being replaced by a sad smile. "Yes. Even though I cannot do much, I still believe it is my duty to make sure that I am able to serve Marlote to the best of my abilities."

Qui-Gon nodded. "Then we will do what we can to aide you and the rest of the people here. In helping you we should be able to help Berland."

"That is all I can ask." Tomas stood up. "Come Master Jedi," he indicated the door to which they came through.

As Qui-Gon rose to his feet he turned his attention to Obi-Wan. "Padawan, I want you to stay here and see if you can find any information that would be useful."

Obi-Wan looked around the room for a moment, worried at not knowing how the information was organized. He swallowed nervously. If Qui-Gon believed he could do this, then he could. "Yes Master," he nodded while bowing his head in respect, then watched as the two left the chamber.

TBC…