Chapter 8. Way to the Dark Side
Although Obi-Wan could repair almost any space ship (thanks to his padawan training), he had never seen the Travk'in-1502 models before that. It was not rather big, and being made of dark metal, fitted excellently for its owner being as rude and having such a combat view as he did. Soon he found the orientation regulator looking like fish scales because of shining brightly on the sun; it had no significant failures and Obi-Wan was wondering what his new owner needed the bought parts for.
Anyway, it was the chance; the chance to leave this awful planet, to return to the Republic, to meet Qui-Gon. What for? He did not know it exactly. The Jedi had to control their feelings and passions, but Obi-Wan was not sure whether he would be able to forgive his former master or not. And there was also a pretty little thought, naturally, an ugly and inglorious one: to revenge Qui-Gon somehow. The more Obi-Wan tried to overcome it to keep himself the Jedi, the more attractive it became. In fact, the main revenge would be in his return itself. He imagined Master Qui-Gon's face after his fairy tale (surely, he had composed one) would be broken. It would be exciting! So great that his nomination as a Master for the Chosen One (how could it come another way?) seemed not so significant. Damn to this all! It was better not to remember where this way led!
"Go to that capsule and take the instruments," Baal ordered, when they came into the ship, pointing to the small door.
Obi-Wan obediently went there, but as soon as he entered the capsule the door closed automatically. What did this mean?
Baal Baster smiled sweetly, used the Force to throw away the box with needless parts and went to the cabin, going to leave the planet quickly.
When Obi-Wan convinced that the door was not going to open, he soon overcame his fear and started thinking what could all that mean.
Firstly, who was his new owner and whom did he serve? Since the moment Obi-Wan saw him, it had been clear that Baal was not a common Tatooine inhabitant. Of cause, he could be an extraordinary person who could afford himself, on the one hand, to differ from others and, on the other hand, to have his own slave. However, it was more likely that Baal was not connected to any gang or criminal world at all, but this did not make the things better. The Jedi Order had lots of enemies and it easily could happen that they learned about the lonely padawan and decided to capture him; their purposes could be various, but certainly unfair and evil. There was also a chance that Qui-Gon sent someone to free him (though it was rather an impossible option), but the way Baal was executing it did not seem to be a rescue operation; and, even if that was true, why did not master came himself? Now Obi-Wan was ready to any trick from him.
Secondly, what could he do to persuade Baal to help him? Watto refused having any deals with his slave even when Obi-Wan promised him a fine fee for the connection with Coruscant. He only laughed and thought that his new slave had his head damaged with the hot Tatooine sun. He did not know that Qui-Gon and him were the Jedi ("You? A Jedi? Ha!") As far as his new owner could pay for needless parts only to buy a desired slave, it seemed that he was not interested in money much. Maybe promising him the patronage of the Jedi Order would help? Also, there was the last way, a mean and dirty one, but he did not want to remain a slave so much that—
Suddenly, the door opened and Baal Baster came into the capsule. Obi-Wan flinched. Now Baal was without the hood; his face was covered by strange and threatening tattoos. He did not seem to be a good person or to serve such ones.
"Do you know who am I?" Baal asked.
"Yes, master Baster," Obi-Wan answered, but the Zabrak only laughed quietly.
"How did it happen that a young Jedi became a slave on that Force-forgotten planet?" he continued.
Obi-Wan decided immediately that it was useless to refuse that he was a Jedi. The question was where this non-Jedi Force-user came from.
"Oh, this is a very long story," Baal read Obi-Wan's mind and smiled. "You'd better answer my questions more quickly."
"Well," Obi-Wan understood that he could not tell lies. "My Master left me here as a slave. I really don't know how could this happen and why!" The last sentence was partially true, so Baal could not detect anything suspicious. "Perhaps, that's all. It happened several weeks ago," he finished.
Baal did not answer. The story was not lie; however, it was very strange and hardly believable. Although even if it was so, the defining thing was the other.
"Are you angry with him?"
"I am… well… yes, I'm angry with him," squeezed Obi-Wan. It was terrible, but he could neither control his mind, nor come against his feelings!
"Do you want to revenge?" Baal whispered. "Do you think he's still a real—not a formal!—Jedi? Will you believe any of them after this all?"
"I don't know," said Obi-Wan slowly. "I still believe that there are fair Jedi, plenty of them."
"Think about your new master," Baal continued. "Don't you think you'll need a new one? And will you be able to learning with the knowledge that he can betray you?"
"A new master..? I don't know, maybe…" Obi-Wan repeated. "However, I don't know the answer for your second question—"
"As for me, I think there is no honesty or devotion at all," Baal Baster said confidentially. "If you do not want to be fooled, you will need to learn more features of the Force than any Jedi able to oppose you. And, certainly, trusting anyone will be out of question."
"This is the way of the Dark Side!" Obi-Wan cried, understanding the aim of Baal's talk with him. "This is not my way!"
"Just imagine your revenge. Your raise. Your victories. Your power," Baal sweetly whispered. "You're like a Jedi dog chained by the Republic now! The freedom is a right of any thinking creature, isn't it? Do you really believe the Jedi will not betray you another time?"
Obi-Wan was discouraged. He could not imagine the things going in such way. He had to think a lot…
"You can now join me and get an extreme power and abilities," Baal concluded. "I give you some time to think about it. If you say 'yes', you will become my apprentice named…" he tried to listen to the Force, but it was absolutely silent that day. "Well, or you just won't be at all," he finished and left Obi-Wan alone.
Obi-Wan could not think clearly. He had enough time to do it, but the answer had come immediately. The former Jedi breathed heavily.
Somewhere very far, on the planet Coruscant, senator Palpatine felt something terrible had happened and eagerly sipped the wine.
