A/N: I know some of you might be surprised by this jump forward in time, but this is consistent with the title of the fic. It "snapshots" (selected moments/episodes) of Obi-Wan's life, not "chronicles" of Obi-Wan's life. It's just that it's not in my make up as writer to write long-winding epics. I've tried -- and this is one of my longest works so far -- but it in not in me to write 100+ pages. On the up side, however, all my stories are complete, so I hope it will compensate this "fault" of mine.

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Part Three

Eight Years Later

Obi-Wan slid behind the tall Mon Calamari healer and covered her bulging eyes with his hands.

"Guess who?" he whispered.

"Obi!" Bant cried, turning around and wrapping him in a rib-crushing embrace. "You are back!"

"So it seems," he replied, hugging her back, uncaring of the curious glances their reunion was attracting from the passing Jedi.

Finally the two friends took a step back and looked at each other with a smile.

"Obi, I almost don't recognize you with all that fur on your face!" Bant exclaimed.

Obi-Wan raised a hand to stroke his bearded chin. "Do you like it?" he asked.

"Yes, it gives you a distinguished look. You no longer seem a padawan without a braid. However, I would trim that hair a bit—it's too long, I think."

"Maybe, but it was useful to keep my ears and neck warm during my posting on Roamn—that planet is as freezing a hole as Hoth."

"Poor Obi! He was afraid his ears would freeze and fall off!" Bant smirked, "And then everybody would call him Deafy-Wan."

"Ah-ah, how funny!" Obi-Wan threw her a dirty look, but he was not annoyed. He had missed his friend's humour.

Bant sobered. "Are you going to stay for a while this time? Or will you ship out again before I can even think to organize a rendezvous with Garen and Reeft?"

"This time I'm going to stay, Bant. I've spent the last years travelling across the galaxy with almost no pauses and I need to slow down for a while."

"That's great. I've missed you, Obi, and I look forward to hearing some of your adventures in the Outer Rim. The life of a healer can be so boring…"

"I will tell you everything you wish, but now I must go. I must appear in front on the Council in five minutes."

"All right, Obi. See you soon—and welcome back, my friend."

"So, Obi-Wan, what news do you bring from the Outer Rim?" Ki-Adi-Mundi asked

"Nothing new, Master. The unrest and malcontent that is spreading across the Republic has arrived there too, but it's difficult to say if there is someone working behind the scenes to influence the local rulers. My instincts say there is something at work there, but I've no proof of it. Maybe it's just the Darkness I feel that influences me."

"No, wrong you are not. The Senate in unrest is too. One crisis after another there is. Chancellor Palpatine trouble has in making the congress work."

"Corruption is spreading," interjected Adi Gallia, "and the bureaucrats strangle every action with tons of paperwork and red tape. I'm afraid the Republic isn't in good shape at the moment."

Obi-Wan nodded, agreeing with her words.

"What about Dooku?" enquired Kit Fisto. "Do you have any news about him?"

Dooku, a former Jedi Master, was a thorn in the Council's side. A revered Jedi, who had been Yoda's Padawan and Qui-Gon's master, he had left the Order a few months after the Naboo Crisis, claiming that the Senate was corrupted and that the High Council was unwilling to aid the many systems oppressed by too high taxations.

After his resignation, Dooku had returned to his homeworld of Serenno, where he was a Count, and ruled it for several years. Then, in recent times, his political action had expanded out of his planet, to encompass other systems that were critical to the Galactic Republic.

"As far as my information goes, Dooku has been having contacts with both the Trade Federation and the Banking Clan. These encounters are very secret, so it's impossible to know what they have been discussing. However, I would like to point out both these groups have been quite vocal in their opposition to the central government," Obi-Wan answered.

"Are you implying Dooku is the one spreading the malcontent in the Outer Rim?"

"I'm not implying anything—I'm just pointing out an interesting coincidence. The unrest is spreading and there are even whispers of secession on certain worlds—star systems connected with the Trade Federation or the Banking Clan. We cannot ignore the possibility a big opposition party against the Senate and the Chancellor could be created at this very moment."

The Council fell silent, as they digested Obi-Wan's words. Finally, Mace Windu spoke, "Thank you for your insight on the matter, Obi-Wan. We will keep Dooku monitored, even if I think he is just an idealist that would never move against the Republic he loves. Now, let's change topic. You've earned some down time, and we are hoping you will accept the opportunity to teach a couple of classes while you stay here in the Temple."

Obi-Wan smiled. "I would be honoured to teach, but I'm not sure I will have the time."

"Why?"

"Because it's my intention – with your permission, of course—to take a padawan learner."

Yoda's ears perked up. "So long we have waited for you to say this. Very pleased we are with your decision."

Obi-Wan grinned, genuinely happy for the Grand Master's open approval.

"Thank you, Master."

"Do you already have some initiate in mind?" Adi Gallia asked.

"No, I don't. I will let the Force guide me to my future Padawan."

Yoda nodded. "Wise you have become, Obi-Wan. Good master you will be."

Knowing a dismissal when it came, Obi-Wan bowed and left the Council Chambers with a light heart and a spring in his steps.