Chapter Ten
The transmission flew from distant satellite relays and across subspace channels at the speed of light, its journey coming to an end once it reached the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
The sender waited a bit anxiously until finally a familiar holo-image flickered into shape before his eyes. Tahl often scolded Qui-Gon for wasting his credits on holo-transmissions. There was no point, she argued, since she couldn't make use of them, and they cost far too much. The nominal credits the Senate granted the Jedi on a monthly basis might be needed for emergencies, not for frivolous things such as holo-feeds. Not that she minded Qui-Gon contacting her as he always did upon completing a mission at a distance that was beyond their scope of telepathic ability. She had always believed audio messages were sufficient.
"You're on holo, aren't you?" The gold and green eyes glittered with her teasing.
The sight of them along with her lovely face was worth the cost, Qui-Gon decided with a fond grin.
"I missed you as well." He teased back.
"I've already received word from the council in regards to the success of your mission. Congratulations, Qui."
"We'll be returning home in the morning."
Tahl's answering smile revealed her pleasure, although it also displayed a sense of trepidation.
"How's Obi-Wan?"
She knew him so well. Informing his bonded of his Padawan's strange behavior was one of the main reasons Qui-Gon had called.
"He met a girl."
"Oh?"
"Queen Padme Amidala."
"Oh." The previously hopeful countenance of Tahl's face quickly transformed to concern. Even though it was obvious by the sound of Qui-Gon's voice that things hadn't turned out so well, she couldn't help but be curious. Even if Obi-Wan was destined for Agricorps, the young man deserved to be loved.
"What happened?"
"I'm not sure. He's never acted so irrational, irresponsible and disrespectful before."
"To you?"
"Not to me, to the Queen. They developed an immediate dislike for one another."
"That's not like Obi-Wan at all."
"I know."
"Was the queen obnoxious or something?"
"No. She's a very brave and daring young woman. Smart, responsible, humble, and kind."
"Homely?"
"In regards to her appearance, I would call her handsome."
"This is most unusual." Tahl's statement floundered and silence followed.
Qui-Gon watched the flickering image with interest as his love's long fingernail traced her lower lip as it usually did whenever she was mulling over an idea.
"I'll call you back."
To Qui-Gon's surprise, the transmission was abruptly terminated. He chose to trust his bondmate, however. She wouldn't hang up on him unless there was a reason. Trying not to worry, he returned to the task of helping Obi-Wan arrange their morning transport.
By the time the Jedi arrived in the palace hangar the next day, the sun was just beginning to rise and their pilot had already initiated the pre-flight checks.
Obi-Wan had been quiet the evening prior and this morning, not speaking except to assure his Master he was prepared to leave.
It was Qui-Gon who hesitated at the foot of the loading platform, desperately wanting to delay the inevitable future, to try and discover a way to make sure Obi-Wan was knighted, but then pilot, Ric Olie, appeared at the top of the ramp.
"We have a window. Are you ready?"
Qui-Gon answered the question with forward progression and soon found himself and his apprentice heading toward an uncompromisable and unforgiving destiny.
However, sometimes, the Force can surprise even a Jedi Master.
"Master Jinn, you have an incoming transmission from the Jedi Temple."
Shielding his surprise, Qui-Gon rose from the co-pilot's seat. "I'll take it in my cabin."
He glanced quickly at Obi-Wan who was seated at the nav controls, offering no sign of hope. He didn't dare, but his heart rate sped up just a little as he accepted the audio communication.
"Qui, this is Tahl. I apologize for hanging up on you last night, but something urgent came up. I know we don't have much time before your ship goes into hyperspace, so I'll be brief. First, tell me what you witnessed between Obi-Wan and Padme Amidala."
"Irritation, short tempers, a tendency to argue and focus upon each other's short-comings and faults."
"Just like us."
"Pardon?"
"Qui, don't you remember during our junior academy days? I called you 'Sky-High Qui', and you were always pulling on my braids."
"That was just child's play."
"It was an attraction we were too young to understand. I believe Obi-Wan and Padme are arguing because they are failing to recognize and accept the bond that is trying to develop between them."
"A bond! But that's not possible."
"It is possible. That was the reason I disconnected so quickly. The Queen's name triggered a memory, and I looked her up in the Temple archives. When she was born, a Jedi team was sent out to test her for training. Her midichlorian count was off the scale, but her parents refused to allow the Jedi to take her."
For the first time since this mission had begun, Qui-Gon's face lit with hope and he sprung up from his seat.
"Thanks darling. I'll talk to you soon. I've got to go get this ship turned around!"
There were three hundred and seventy-six bolts in the ceiling above his head. Obi-Wan knew this for a fact because he had already counted them. Twice.
After Qui-Gon had retreated to his cabin to intercept the communication from the Temple, Obi-Wan had done the same. He left the flying of the Nubian craft in the capable hands of Ric, and had thrown himself down upon his private cot.
He was only mildly curious about the transmission, assuming it was probably Master Yoda sending his condolences to Qui-Gon for Obi-Wan's failed apprenticeship. If it was something other than that, something of importance, he was sure his Master would let him know.
Otherwise, the young man planned on staying in his cabin for most of the trip. He was too discouraged to look at Qui-Gon, and he was too exhausted to talk or even think about his future. All he wanted to do was sleep.
And after just a few minutes, he did so.
Slumber found Obi-Wan quickly, but so did the Force. Wrapping its energy about Obi-Wan's mind, it kept him from slipping into a dream-state, allowing him to hover on the edge of awareness for the sole purpose of preparation.
However, what Obi-Wan was currently experiencing, he could not have been prepared for.
His eyes flew open, thinking at first that his Master had called out to him, but then he realized the tone was too feminine, and the words were inside his head.
When he heard it again, he noticed it was a frightened voice, which was now pleading for his help, and it belonged to none other than Padme Amidala, the Queen of Naboo.
A/N: Thus ends the PROLOGUE to this story. Yep, these past 10 or so chapters are here to merely SET UP the story I meant to tell in the first place.
Now, that all of this is out of the way...time to get down to business.
Hold on Dorothy, 'cuz Kansas is going bye-bye. ; )