Note 3

Master Dooku,

It has been far too long since we last talked, my friend. Yes, I have been busy with my apprentice Obi-Wan, but that is no excuse for not seeing you.

Ah yes, I noticed that you have been sent on a lot of negotiation missions to try to get other worlds to join with the Republic. The Republic certainly is a large governmental body. How have your missions been going?

Heh, yes, I only told him the good things about you. It would be hard to find much negative things to say anyway. Getting together at a restaurant on Corucsant after this dispute is over sounds refreshing. I accept your invitation. Obi-Wan has a friend who owns a diner on Coruscant. He and I occasionally stop in to see him. How does that sound? I hadn't realized how much I missed our philosophical talks until you mentioned them to me.

Thank you for your words of praise. We were a good team, I will agree with you. It would be an honor to work with you on a mission sometime. I do think much of Obi-Wan. He is practically ready for the trials, in my opinion. I don't know how to explain it to Obi-Wan that the Code/Jedi Council should not be followed above the Force. It seems to be a difference of opinion between us.

It is unfortunate, but true. Most Jedi are so stuck on the Code and Jedi Council that I fear they do not think/reason for themselves, or follow the Force. Instead, they hold the Code and Jedi Council as a higher authority. If a change is not made soon, I fear this will have negative impacts on the future of the Jedi Order.

Yes, I have found a child who is unusually strong in the Force. His name is Anakin Skywalker. According to his mother, his grandfather was once a Jedi Padawan…a Lowdun Skywalker? I slightly remember him from my Padawan days. His Master, Frey Corta was killed, I believe. I do not know the details. I have taken a blood sample from the boy, and his midiclorian count is higher…higher than 15,000. In fact it is MUCH higher…24,000. He is a slave, from a system not included in the Republic, and he is nine years old.

I am in the process of trying to get the boy freed. His master (remember I told you he is a slave), would not go along with me taking him easily. I have made a bet with his master, Watto. If Anakin wins this podrace (yes, he is a human who can race pods), then Watto will grant him his freedom. The boy knows nothing of my bet.

I just realized that you may not know our situation. You are of course aware that my Padawan and I were sent to Naboo to negotiate with the Trade Federation leaders there? The Trade Federation leaders attempted to murder us, and eventually we escaped down to the planet. We managed to make our way to the Queen of Naboo, and rescue her. We took a Naboo ship in hopes of reaching Coruscsant.

However, as we were leaving, Trade Federation ships making up a blockade, shot at our ship. It was damaged in the process, and our hyperdrive began leaking. We landed on a small desert planet called Tatooine.

Tatooine is not a planet that is a member of the Republic. In fact it is owned by a group called the Maurders, and to be more specific, the Hutts. I had plenty of Republic credits with me, however Republic credits are not accepted on a Maurder world.

I was in a junk dealer shop, hoping to acquire the hyperdrive part that we need, when the slave boy came out, introduced himself to the Queen's handmaiden, who had gotten out of the ship with me. A bad sandstorm began brewing, and Anakin offered us shelter.

During my interaction with the boy, Anakin offered to win us the money to pay for the part we need by entering a pod race. Although the plan didn't please me, I accepted his offer. I believe that a boy that strong with the force can win us the money.

I will take your advice and take the boy to the Temple for evaluation. I can't imagine what the other Jedi Council members will say, but I feel that it is the will of the Force that this boy be trained.

Thank you for your advice on how to handle this situation with my apprentice. Yes, Obi-Wan is so bent on the Code that he feels Anakin is too old. As I said earlier in this correspondence, the boy is 9 years old.

Heh, you're about the only Jedi Master I know that would refer to me as "young one." I do have to say that that made me chuckle. Yes, yes, I will keep you up to date on how the Council reacts to what I have to say about Anakin. Your assistance in his training would be much appreciated. Yes, the Force's will must be done, especially for someone so young.

Master Dooku, do you think it's possible that this boy could be the Chosen One? The one that has been spoken of in the old Jedi Legends and prophecies? The one that will bring balance to the Force and completely destroy the Sith forever? I know this prophesy well. I searched many years, as a private interest, for this child. Could he be the one? He is certainly strong enough with the Force to fulfill it, I believe.

Your advice is also well taken. I agree with what you said about those who are not strong with the living force. Hmmm…we are not all meant to be alike, true. It takes Jedi with different strengths in different areas to work together, and protect this galaxy. I may not be as strong as another Jedi is in a certain area, but where my weaknesses are, others can let their own strengths shine. Perhaps each Jedi has his or her own role in the Jedi Order, and working together is what makes the Jedi Order function so well. So yes, perhaps, Obi-Wan is not meant to be our type of Jedi. He has his own strengths. I believe that Obi-Wan will become a great Jedi Knight, who will make a name for himself.

Obi-Wan still has much to learn, but so do all Jedi. There is little more he can learn from me. I know that this must be the Council's decision, but yes, I feel that Obi-Wan is capable of becoming a Jedi Knight. Yes, I believe my Padawan is ready on all levels.

Yes, it would be wonderful if you were to get to know Obi-Wan. I think it would be good for him. Yes, Obi-Wan has grown up quite a bit since the last time you saw him. How old was he? 15, I believe. He must have been around that age…it's been nearly ten years since we talked in person.

Well, I should be getting back…Anakin is about to begin racing.

Master Qui-Gon