Obi-Wan escorts the group to a small hovel cluttered with desert junk and yet still manages to radiate an air of timeworn comfort; Luke is in the corner repairing 3-PO's arm, Steven and Connie examine the devices within the small home, and Obi-Wan sits, thinking to himself. On the way to his hovel, Obi-Wan told Luke about his father, and that he was a great General during the infamous Clone Wars.
"No, my father didn't fight in the Clone Wars." Luke told the old man. "He was a navigator on a spice freighter." Old Obi-Wan chuckles lightly to himself, "Is that what your uncle told you. He did not hold well with your father's ideals. Thought he should have stayed here and not gotten involved."
"What were the Clone Wars?" Steven asks as he and Connie sit across from the old man. "The Clone Wars was a great conflict that spread across the known galaxy." The elder states, remembering back to the times of the past. "One that was fought between the Republic, the main government of this galaxy, and its allies wishing to spread peace and freedom, against the Separatists and their allies, who wanted to control all that could be controlled. That is what we all believed at the time… I was once a Jedi Knight, a sworn protector of the Republic. Just as your father was, Luke"
Connie and Steven raise their heads up upon hearing the word, Knight. "So did you ride into battle on a beautiful steed, like a 'knight in shining armor,' and save the beautiful maiden in distress." Connie asks the old man, like a little kid meeting a real life fantasy hero.
"No, nothing like that," Obi-Wan told the kids. "I have been retired for many long years, and have not worn armor since then. However, there was… something in that vein of saving someone when I was last on the planet Mandalore, but that is another story." but he half smiled in remembrance before he explained "and she may have been a beautiful damsel, but she was barely ever in distress. She saved me almost as much as I saved her!"
"and In any event, The Jedi Order has been the protectors for those that could not defend themselves. Your father was member of the Order, Luke." Luke stops repairing 3PO's arm for the moment, and turns towards the Jedi, "I wish I'd known him, what kind of man was he?"
Obi-Wan smiles and nostalgically answers the teen's question. "He was the best star-pilot in the galaxy, and a cunning warrior. I understand you have become quite a good pilot yourself. Most of all, he was a good friend. Which reminds me..." Obi-Wan stands up and walks towards a chest where he rummages around, looking for something.
As Luke finishes repairing 3PO and starts to fit the restraining bolt back on, 3PO looks at him nervously. "Master Luke, please do be careful." The droid asks. Luke successfully repairs 3PO's arm, who moves it around to get used to the feeling again.
Obi-Wan shuffles toward Luke, "I have something here for you." The old man says presenting him with a short handle with several electronic gadgets attached to it. "Your father wanted you to have this when you were old enough, but your uncle would not allow it. He feared you might follow old Obi-Wan on some foolish idealistic crusade, like your father did."
Obi-Wan hands Luke the strange device. "What is it?" Luke asks examining it. "Your father's lightsaber; this is the weapon of a Jedi Knight." Obi-Wan answered the teen. "Not as clumsy or as random as a blaster."
Luke pushes a button on the handle and it shoots out a flickering four-foot long blue beam. Steven and Connie's eyes light up bright as stars upon seeing the blade. "Whoa! A sword made out of a laser beam. That is so cool!" Steven says with a large grin on his face.
Connie then inquired, "So, how do they work Mr. Obi-Wan? I just got to know how to make something as cool as that!"
The old wizard turned to her and said with a touch of sadness in his voice "I am afraid that may well be too complicated and time-consuming to explain here and now, as making one is a rite of Passage for every Jedi. but I suspect you'll all know, when you're ready." Meanwhile, Luke slowly waves the weapon around getting a feel for it.
"It is quite an elegant weapon for a more civilized time; for over a thousand generations the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic; before the dark times, before the Empire." Obi-Wan says sitting back down with a grim face, reminded of those dim days.
"What happened to them?" Steven curiously asks. "A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights." Obi-Wan answered. "He betrayed and murdered Luke's father. Now the Jedi are extinct. Vader was seduced by his fear, hatred, anger, deceit and a lust for power we had not foreseen, and became what is known to us as a Sith, a following opposite to the Jedi that use the dark side of the Force."
"The Force, what is that?" Steven, Connie and Luke all say at the same time.
"The Force is what gives Jedi their power," Obi-Wan states to the three young-ones. "It is an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together. The three of you in your own way, have the Force and are all strong with it."
Steven's naval area begins to bother him, he lifts up his shirt and his Rose Quartz gem glows. "And Gems have one of the strongest connections to it." Obi-Wan remarks as he looks at the young Half-Gem, seeing potential in him.
"Wait." Steven asked, standing up. "How do you know about the gems? Have any others come here besides me?" R2 makes a beeping sound, reminding the trio of one of the reasons why they were searching for the Jedi in the first place.
"Oh, before I forget, this R2 unit has a message for you." Luke walks over to the droid. "We couldn't get the full message, I've been meaning to fix him up today, but got sidetracked." Luke turns a knob and presses a button. "And that should do it." This activates the recorded message, revealing the beautiful young princess once more. Steven and Connie gather next to them eager to hear the whole message.
"General Kenobi, years ago you served my father in the Clone Wars. Now he begs you to help him in his struggle against the Empire. I regret that I am unable to present my father's request to you in person, but my ship has fallen under attack and I am afraid my mission to bring you to Alderaan has failed. I have placed information vital to the survival of the Rebellion into the memory systems of this R2 unit. My father will know how to retrieve it. You must see this droid safely delivered to him on Alderaan. This is our most desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope."