(Two years later)
Obi-Wan rose from his knelt position and offered a hand to Bant, who accepted it with a smile.
"I hope Aivan'ove will be pleased that we have finished everything in time, though he always doesn't miss a chance to criticize me." Obi-Wan said skeptically when they're heading to the main building.
The Mon-Calamari smiled: "It's just his job. He only doesn't let you relax. I know you well enough: you'd better run away and spend a day doing everything except meditating on the field with wheat. You should know how important it is!" she imitated the voice of the Head of the Agricorps.
"I know!" Then Obi-Wan added guilty: "I have a bad feeling about this."
"Told you," Bant raised a brow. "You can find any reason!"
"It's not about it; it's something else—"
"Illusive?" She frowned. "I've heard the same line for many times and for no good reason."
"Yes. I think you're right." Kenobi shrugged and made himself not to think about it.
"Oh, here you are at last! I have some news for you," Aivan'ove looked at them strictly. "The Supreme Chancellor Valorum will arrive tomorrow. It's just a friendly visit, nothing serious. Mostly, for the mass media. But we must provide him the best safety. Is that clear?" After the couple nodded, he continued "You two have the most completed training here, so you will follow him. Just in case."
"Yes, sir." Obi-Wan answered, respectfully bowing his head. The unpleasant experience had already taught him not to argue with the Head of the Agricorps. So he agreed and saved all complaining for his friends.
"So, they asked you to follow the Supreme Chancellor? Cool! But from whom you will protect him?" Mic asked, shrugging.
"From vicious and skilled vermin!" Obi-Wan suggested, making scary eyes.
"They said he won't take many guards with him." Bant interrupted.
"And, of course, even few skilled and trained guards can't protect him better than two former Jedi," Mic said, laughing. "Hey, stop this!" Kenobi slightly Force-pushed him from the fence he was sitting on.
"How is your animals, by the way?" Obi-Wan asked, helping his friend to stand up.
"Fine, as always. I hope you both have finished your work for today. And I certainly hope that you won't mind about some varactylback riding."
Of course, Obi-Wan couldn't describe Finis Valorum as his friend (in fact, Kenobi had no special sympathy for the politics), but they had known each other for seven years. The reason was simple: the Chancellor was an old friend of Qui-Gon. Sometimes Finis had personally asked Master/Padawan team to attend the negotiations; sometimes they just had visited him. Valorum seemed to be kind to young Padawan. Maybe, he wouldn't mind to have a chat tomorrow - Obi-Wan was eager to learn the latest news from the Coruscant.
Kenobi was still in touch with his old friends from the Temple. They even visited Obi-Wan and Bant during free from the missions time (of course, they had been knighted), though it wasn't often. They missed him, tried to convince him to ask the Council and to return to the Temple. But they couldn't understand one simple thing—Obi-Wan really liked this place. He could be himself here; he shouldn't impress somebody or be the best Padawan in the Temple. He loved this place, locals respected him (not from the beginning, but he deserved their respect); he had wonderful friends here... He wouldn't return, even if Master Jinn himself had asked him.
"Good morning, Chancellor!" Obi-Wan respectfully bowed, when Valorum came out from his luxurious private ship.
"Kenobi, Bant, glad to see you. Stop there!" Finis waved to his guards. "These young men can protect me from anything, I'm sure." He smiled at them. "As I've said before, it's a friendly visit. I want to make sure that there are no problems. Some years ago, there was not so peacefully here, as I remember."
"You are right. It is much better without miners. Farmers made a lot of efforts to save the planet," Mon-Calamari answered, eager to tell about everything and not noticing Obi-Wan's sour look. "I can tell you about everything here! For example, plants – "
"Maybe, we'd show you're the territory? For a start?" Obi-Wan interrupted Bants's flow of words.
The Chancellor quickly nodded.
(this evening)
"So, young Kenobi, you like this place, right?"
After the long and exhausting day they were sitting in private and chatting in the drawing-room of the main building. Here were some splendid pieces of furniture, beautiful and suitable enough for the Chancellor. Bant excused herself and went home, deciding to let the men speak.
"Yes, your grace. It's a very peaceful and silent place."
"All is well that ends well, right? You know, it is not so peacefully back on the Coruscant. I think that something will happen soon… Never mind, I want to forget about this for a day, at least. Besides, don't you remember the Ambassador of… Wait, what was it?"
Obi-Wan could sense it too. He not only heard the strange sounds, but sensed the disturbance in the Force. The old instincts acted immediately.
"Finis, call your guards! Now! It's not safe here anymore! I'll try to get outside and check what's going on!"
Kenobi had a very bad feeling. About Bant. He ran out from the house with a speed of light. Outside he saw several pirates' ships in the night sky. No doubts, the red and white colors meant that they were Acado group, the most vicious and dangerous one. They were famous for their blood-thirstiness. They never took prisoners and left only burning ruins after them. The Agricorps was in danger. They were peaceful farmers, not warriors! What the pirates hoped to get here?
Evading fire, Obi-Wan ran to the Bant's house. His only wish was to see her safe and alive. But he was mistaken - she was not at home. Her lightsaber was not hanging on the wall, too. Obviously, she noticed the menace. Good, she wouldn't be taken aback. Obi-Wan shook his head, took his own 'saber in arm and, being guided by the Force, ran to the main Corpus again.
But he didn't reach the building - he saw some huge and vicious Togorians with long white fangs; all of them were wearing the heavy armor and had weapon with them: guns and vibro-blades.
"Hey, farmer!" the tallest of them said, a leader, perhaps. "You give us the Chancellor and you will die painlessly!"
Obi-Wan saw Valorum, who was running from the main building with his own guards, who were trying to protect him; the Chancellor was safe with his guards; his ship was not so large and could fly much faster then heavy armored pirate ones, so it was not a problem—he would escape. But they needed some time to reach the ship – and Obi-Wan would buy it.
Then he noticed Bant, who was running to his side.
"Never."
They often sparred in the Agricorps in their free time, just for fun and to amaze Mic, so they didn't forget the right movements. Besides, there was a proverb which said that there are no former Jedi.
They were fighting back to back. Obi-Wan reflected shoots, aiming at the Mon-Calamari; she killed his attackers. They were using the Force to support each other and knew the partner's next move. Obi-Wan raised his lightsaber again and as in slow motion saw Togorian's leader striking Bant without mercy. He killed him in one swift moment, but it was already too late. There was no hope for him, only revenge. After two or three defeated opponents Obi-Wan felt something hot in his chest. He slowly fell on the ground, choking in his own blood. Seems, time slowed around him again…
…Mic, riding his varactyl, who tried to bite the attackers. Mic himself had a big stick in his arms and beat pirates with it. Then a single shot reached his unprotected back. A burst of blood and he fell down, though his riding animal continued running and slaughtered that Togorian with her claws and teeth…
…Soboles, holding his blue-blade lightsaber, was killing enemies too. Corpses were lying around him. A swing of the vibro-blade, and he fell…
…Young boys and girls, who had not been accepted as Padawans, were standing in one group, trying to keep themselves alive. 'Useless,' Obi-Wan thought automatically, 'they're not warriors. May the Force be with them…'
Then, it was over and he passed away.