Jocasta Silver – Obi-Wan has given Siri something to think about. After she has had some time to think, we might see a little more of her.

Katerinaki – I always imagine that Obi-Wan had to be quite the handful as a child. I also can't resist getting to write parent/son interactions, probably because I am the mother of three boys. As for Siri, she is her father's pride and joy, which probably makes her a bit more of a firecracker as you said.

Jedi Kay-Kenobi - I think the Jedi Council is a bit less narrow-minded in this fic because they have more day-to-day contact with the rest of galaxy instead of just on missions.

Chapter 10

"Okay, forward stabilizers …"

Obi-Wan looked along the control panel, quickly pointing to the correct controls.

"Pitch …"

There was another correct identification. Brenan smiled at his son and looked up at the tall Jedi master who was leaning over the pair.

"I don't know Qui-Gon. I think we need to take him out in one of the older ships and get him flying while we're on Dantooine this time."

"You'll do no such thing," Kaiya chided, looking up from where she sat talking to Kara.

"He's ready Kaiya."

She rose from her seat, taking a few steps until she was at the entrance of the cockpit. "He just turned thirteen years old! I don't think he's ready to handle a ship on his own." She locked eyes with her husband, issuing a definite challenge.

"Dad would be with me." She rolled her eyes at her son's hopeful expression, smelling the beginnings of a male conspiracy. And as if on cue …

"In the ancient Order, padawans were taught to take on many responsibilities far earlier than they are now," Qui-Gon said. "Thirteen years old was quite normal for flying."

"I'd stay out of it, Qui-Gon." Kara didn't miss the mischievous twinkle in her husband's blue eyes as he quickly retreated to stand by her as though seeking protection.

"What? I'm just defending my best friend." He smiled and leaned forward giving her a quick peck on the lips.

"Eeewww." Obi-Wan turned his eyes abruptly back to front view port, earning various snickers and smiles from the four adults aboard.

The ship lurched abruptly and all five occupants felt the vessel slow as a series of red lights lit up the control panel. Qui-Gon flew from Kara's side, pushing Obi-Wan from the chair as he settled at the controls.

"We're coming out of hyperspace."

"I'll go check the hyperdrive." Brenan, the more mechanically inclined of the two masters made his way to the engine room. A jolt of warning surged in the Force and an explosion shook the vessel adding harsh claxons to the array of flashing lights. Kaiya was immediately on her feet.

"Brenan." The name was murmured in a whisper as she grabbed her medical pack, stopping to make sure Obi-Wan was strapped into his seat before she ventured into the smoke filled rear of the transport.

"Mum?"

"Are you okay?"

Obi-Wan looked at the older man with a puzzled expression. "What?"

"I was talking about the forward stabilizers and you went blank on me."

Obi-Wan blinked twice before looking back at the control panel. "I'm sorry. I'm not terribly fond of flying."

"How long has it been since you last piloted one of these things?"

Obi-Wan pulled his eyes from the control panel and looked at the Jedi master again. "Nearly two years." He smiled casually. "I was unable to avoid it this time."

"You'll do fine." The Jedi master squeezed his shoulder. "Take her up into space and get used to how she moves again."

The master descended down the ladder and the canopy began to close on the fighter. Obi-Wan felt slight pressure in his ears as the canopy sealed and he was isolated from the sounds of the hangar, left with the low vibrations of engines and the humming of air circulators kicking in. He closed his eyes breathing in calm, jumping slightly at a loud rambling of beeps and chirps – the astrometric droid.

The young Jedi adjusted the headset more closely around his head. "Yes, I'm ready."

He followed his guides taking the fighter out of the hangar and lifted off, the hangar first growing smaller, blending into the training center, before all disappeared into the land mass of Dantooine's northern hemisphere. He continued on, breaking orbit and putting more distance between himself and the planet.

Obi-Wan had forgotten that there was something so peaceful about floating in the blackness of space. While he knew that the stars piercing the darkness of the expanse signified planets and millions of life forms, he sensed none of them. It was odd to be truly alone, and he felt an intriguing sense of calm and clarity – he felt close to the Force. He opened himself to it and it beckoned him to see. Gone was the apprehension he had felt only moments ago, replaced with the freedom to close his eyes, trusting the Force would continue to guide the movements of the small vessel.

It was as though time opened up for him, a blur of events unfolding, like threads woven into a vast tapestry. A flash of sitting in Senator Kitab's office, the assassination attempt, even this very moment in the cockpit – through the Force they were spun into a web, connected. Obi-Wan pressed further, following the fibers as each was knitted into place before him, and then his mind's eye was met with a pair of glowing, red eyes. He jumped, inhaling sharply, shaking his mind from the trance-like state he had slipped into.

"Kenobi, come in!"

He reached up and wiped perspiration from his brow, trying to regain his bearings as he looked for the source of the noise. The com crackled again. "Are you okay? You've been up there for a while."

"Kenobi here," he answered. "I'm fine."

"You haven't answered our calls. We sent someone up after you in case you need assistance."

How much time had passed? It seemed like he had just reached space, that the brief images had flittered before his eyes in seconds even.

"Are you comfortable with flying that thing now?" The new voice crackled over the com as another vessel swiftly approached from above.

"Yes."

"Good. Fall into formation behind me."

Formation? What was this – some sort of military exercise?

"Who are you?"

Garen Muln. I'm a pilot in the Aksu militia. Since you're obviously okay and I'm up here now, why don't we shake things up – push you a little bit.

Obi-Wan let out a hesitant chuckle. "Maybe you haven't been informed that merely being in the cockpit is a bit of a stretch for me."

The only response was the fighter taking off into a dive.

"Blast!" Obi-Wan reluctantly followed. He took a deep breath, feeling his stomach climb up into his throat as the fighter ahead plunged into the atmosphere of the planet, deep shades of blue streaked past, replacing black on all sides.

"Good. Now stay with me."

The other pilot pushed the engines, taking off in a swift burst of speed. Obi-Wan once again followed as the knight zigged and zagged along the planet's surface leading him in a chase. Obi-Wan saw the gorge long before they approached and dread settled into his stomach. From the air it looked like a long, jagged gash cut into the planet's surface.

"About the only remarkable landmark on this planet since we stay away from the Dantari settlements on the coast. Follow me in."

Obi-Wan watched as his companion dove into the crevice. "I don't think so," he said keeping his fighter level, soaring along the top.

"What is your problem?"

"It's rather narrow, don't you think?"

"You're afraid?"

"No." He was glad that he was able to say that with conviction. "While there is an inherent amount of risk in flying – this is just plain reckless."

The pilot in the lead sped forward again before soaring upward and circling around behind Obi-Wan's fighter. The vessel rose slightly and moved forward again until it was hovering directly over Obi-Wan.

"What are you doing?" Obi-Wan looked up through the canopy, eyes widening as he saw the fighter come closer.

"You're going into the ravine." The fighter drew even closer, gently bumping the top of Obi-Wan's canopy.

"You hit me!"

"Correction. I nudged you. Now, are you going down?"

Obi-Wan looked up, grimacing before beginning to lower his craft. The other fighter pulled ahead of him.

"Just follow. Trust me – I do this for a living, in ships that are a whole lot faster. Your reflexes are more than capable."

Garen's craft dove into the ravine and Obi-Wan followed. It went straight before jutting to the left, then the right and back to the left. He followed the lead fighter over rock formations, tipping to his side at some points to make it through narrow passages. He completely opened himself to the Force, relying on it to guide his direction. And as soon as it seemed it had started, they rose up out of the gorge.

"See, not too bad."

"From your point of view. Do I get to land this thing now?"

"Follow me back."

Once safely back in the confines of the hangar, Obi-Wan rested his head on the back of the seat, exhaling a long rush of air as the canopy popped open and cool, semi-fresh air flowed into the stuffy cockpit. He pulled off the heavy flight gloves and ran fingers through perspiration stiffened hair before standing and climbing down the ladder.

Obi-Wan walked a little ways and saw his "teacher" stand in the cockpit. Garen slid half the way down the rails of the ladder before jumping the rest of the way to the ground. He turned shaking short, cropped brown locks before flashing a crooked smile.

"Now wasn't that a rush?"

"No – that was why I hate flying."

Obi-Wan got to the corridor outside the hangar and started to leave.

"Knight Kenobi!"

Obi-Wan turned, the edges of his lips lifting into a quirky smile. "I'm not actually a Knight yet, but please call me Obi-Wan."

"Okay, call me Garen. I need your help, Obi-Wan. And you need mine."

"I'm listening."

"We need more Jedi on Coruscant and I want to be there, but recommendations for transfers to Coruscant have to come from Coruscant itself. Even then, the Aksu militia doesn't have to let me go until my current commission is up."

"Where do I come into this?" Obi-Wan asked.

"All senators have security details. I am a military officer, so I have the training and I'm one of the best pilots you'll find on Aksu."

"And apparently the most humble too," Obi-Wan shot back. Garen stared at his serene expression with uncertainty for a moment before it spread into a grin.

"What I'm trying to say," Garen continued. "You can either pick a Chief of Security that will treat you like a child and question your every movement which, for instance, will make it harder to make trips to obscure locations in the Outer Rim. Or you can choose a Chief of Security that knows you could wipe the floor with him in a saber and that you are just as, if not more capable of defending yourself than he is."

"You nearly tried to kill me and now you want me to hire you to keep me safe?" He shook his head in mock disbelief. "You're a little young."

"I hate to point out the obvious, but so are you."

Obi-Wan laughed out loud. "So I am." He dropped his gaze, contemplating the option before him, feeling the utter rightness of it in the Force. There was an instant camaraderie between them. "I haven't heard a decision from the elders. I don't even know if I am accepting the Senate seat yet."

"You will," Garen replied confidently.

Obi-Wan grew thoughtful again. "Okay, the position is yours, but I can't move on it until after I hear from the elders."

"I understand."

Obi-Wan heard the familiar chime of his comlink. "That would be my master now. I'm running a little late." He retrieved the device.

"Kenobi."

Padawan, the elders would like to see you sometime today.

"I'm on my way Master."

"Have fun," Garen said, giving him a sympathetic grin. "I hope to hear good news."