A red and white spaceship slowly descended into a circular pit, three legs extending from its belly to support the ship as it warbled slightly before settling in. A gentle hiss followed a small exhale of gases as the ramp slowly lowered, a blast of cool air kicking up some dust. A few droids scurried about, holding various mechanical equipment, while the customs officer squinted to try and see who had arrived in his docking bay.
Two figures wearing simple brown robes that reached from shoulder to legs stepped down a metallic boarding ramp, feeling the blast of desert heat. Persheration began to acquire on both their foreheads, though the left of the duo masked their discomfort better than his shorter counterpart.
"Come now, Obi Wan, we mustn't dally too long," the taller figure said cheerfully. His counterpart, now identified as Obi Wan, merely gave a light snort.
"I should be the one telling you that, master Qui Gon," he replied with snark, tugging his padawan braid as he followed the older Jedi down onto the spaceport, where a seedy looking alien yelled some gibberish incomprehensible to Obi Wan.
Yet Qui Gon Jinn seemed to have no problem understanding, replying in a similar series of grunts and mewls, causing the alien to glare menacingly at them with its four beedy eyes before waddling away, waving his arms and muttering to himself.
"Dare I ask what you told him?" Obi Wan asked amusedly, some of his annoyance at the mission gone. Qui Gon merely gave his padawan a conspiratorial wink, before gesturing for the younger Jedi to follow him. They walked through the customs office, where the alien Qui Gon previously talked with was arguing with several exasperated bureaucrats, until they reached the streets.
"How did the Council sense an initiate so far away from the Core?" Obi Wan asked as they stepped into the bustling street of Mos Espa. Their unusual attire attracted several wary glances from other pedestrians, though most opted to ignore the duo, giving what could be considered a wide berth for the narrow streets as they worked their way through the crowd. "And how are we supposed to find this child?"
"To answer both, I have been told the child has quite the remarkable force presence. Search your feelings, Obi Wan. Where do you sense our elusive child?"
The padawan acquiesced to his master's request, closing his eyes and reaching out with his senses. He lost sense of his immediate surroundings, trusting in Qui Gon to protect while he delved deep into his senses, trying to distinguish the auras of those around him. A faint glow surrounded a few of the individuals on the street, though he had to turn, concentrate further away, before he felt it. An aura of remarkable strength, as though a blanket of light had cocooned itself around the individual. Opening his eyes, he saw Qui Gon observing him curiously, and answered.
"He's that way," Obi Wan gestured vaguely to the area he felt the presence in. Qui Gon nodded in agreement, causing a tingle of satisfaction to work its way through Obi Wan.
"Then let's not keep him waiting," Qui Gon suggested as he began striding through the streets, followed closely by Obi Wan.
As they navigated through the various side-streets, gradually the crowds thinned, until they wandered down a beaten muddy path with two mercenaries leaning against the wall, twirling their blasters menacingly.
"Jedi," the closer one snarked, "your kind aren't welcome here. Bugger off."
"I'm afraid that won't be possible," Qui Gon replied calmly, which seemed to agitate the mercenary. Obi Wan had a shout of warning on the tip of his tongue, but it proved unnecessary as Qui Gon burst into a blur of motion, a green blade igniting from his metallic lightsaber, which had flashed into his hand by some invisible force in the blink of an eye, slicing through the mercenary's hands as he let out a pained cry, calling to his knees as he eyed his stumps helplessly.
"You are supposed to be more diplomatic master," Obi Wan frowned as the other mercenary let out a squeal before fleeing in terror. "The Council has frowned upon your tendencies enough times."
"I only disarmed him," Qui Gon returned, causing the padawan to let out a groan as he followed his master, continuing down the alleyway. They arrived at a small gate, from which Qui Gon waved his hand, unlocking it with an unwieldy click. Obi Wan watched the leery glances from the few armed guards around warily, though Qui Gon's expression remained easy-going as always when he strode forward with conviction, navigating through the scrap piles until they reached a small accommodation area.
Obi Wan had never seen such ramshackled quarters in his life. Huts made out from mud that seemed to barely stand, flaking present on most of the walls which revealed cracks too deep to inspire any confidence. They meandered through the huts, though Obi Wan was only following Qui Gon's path, his attention focused on the few individuals, mostly women and children, scurrying about, a distinct metal collar with an ominous red dot emitting an eerie glow.
"Slave collars," Qui Gon explained disgustedly. "Stray too far, or just with the tap of a button, and a small explosive kills the individual. Crude...but effective enough against untrained civilians.
"But the Republic's anti-slavery laws…"
"The Republic doesn't exist here, my padawan. These people only respond to the language of threat and violence, no matter how much the Council would hope otherwise," Qui Gon replied sagely. Obi Wan gave a stiff nod of understanding, knowing this wasn't the time to press such an issue despite Qui Gon's patience in teaching him. They entered a small hut, and by instinct Obi Wan raised a hand to shield his eyes at the luminous aura that surrounded a young boy, before he snapped to his senses and retracted his force sight. He saw Qui Gon flash him an amused look, and couldn't help but huff petulantly.
"And who are you?" a gruff voice demanded, emerging from behind a divider.
"I am Jedi Master Qui Gon Jinn, and with me is my padawan Obi Wan Kenobi."
"You're here for the freak, aren't you?" the woman questioned venomously. "Good, take him back to your cult and leave us normal folk in peace!"
"Surely you can't mean that for your child?" Obi Wan questioned incredulously. "And the Jedi aren't a cult, we're the-"
"Defenders of the Republic, corrupt carcass that it is. Besides, the Republic isn't out here. You use your unnatural powers, but for all your posturing what good do you do anyone?"
Only Qui Gon's raised hand deferred Obi Wan's passionate defense of the Jedi. The elder jedi gave a disappointed look that Qui Gon knew from experience, yet the woman seemed unmoved, defiant even.
"We would see the boy."
"And why should I do anything for your kind?"
"Because you don't have much of a choice, do you?" Qui Gon commented cheerfully, though Obi Wan sensed a dark undertone to his statement. The woman, clearly sensing this as well, reluctantly gestured for them to enter behind the divider, where Qui Gon and Obi Wan first lay sight on a young boy tinkering on a droid.
"Hello there, young one," Qui Gon greeted, causing the boy to turn from messing with a power coupler to eyeing the duo curiously.
"You're them, aren't you?" he asked neutrally. Obi Wan admitted to being off-put by such a reaction, though hid it behind an emotionless mask. Qui Gon had no such compulsions, instead giving a dainty shrug.
"I suppose it depends who you think 'them' is, doesn't it?"
"Our kind. Those that others label as freaks, abominations, monsters...but we aren't that. We're better than them, aren't we?" the boy asked eagerly. Obi Wan's composure grew stiff, and even Qui Gon seemed taken aback.
"That is a dangerous path of thought to take…"
"Anakin."
"And your people?"
"I have no people," Anakin replied, slightly melancholy, before brightening up. "Skywalker. I shall be the first to bear that house."
"Well met, Anakin Skywalker," Qui Gon dipped his head in acknowledgement. "As you suspect, we are quite different from ordinary beings, for we have been gifted with the ability to harness a power known as the force."
"So that's what it's called..." Anakin replied confidently, causing Obi Wan to mentally frown. "It whispers to me, guides me. If I concentrate, I can make things happen...strange things that cannot otherwise be explained."
"Impressive, perhaps you could demonstrate?" Qui Gon probed. Anakin merely shrugged, raising his hand. Obi Wan gaped as his lightsaber was yanked from his belt, flying into Anakin's outstretched hand.
"A lightsaber," Qui Gon explained to Anakin's curious look after muttering briefly to himself, "the weapon of a Jedi...and others such as the Sith."
"The Sith?" Anakin queried, an almost hungry look for information before it was masked behind childish eagerness. Obi Wan shook his head, unsure if he had imagined that, or perhaps if it were a trick of the light. It was impossible for one so young to master their emotions; but then again no untrained youngling should have been able to overcome his force aura and relieve him of his lightsaber.
"Diametric opposites to the Jedi, said to fight only for personal gain. Anger, lust, fear, hate, these are the basis for the fall of many to the Dark Side," Qui Gon answered.
"But you don't agree, do you?" Anakin questioned, a smirk on his face. Obi Wan couldn't help but gape again at the observations of the boy. It had taken years for Obi Wan to understand the misgivings his master had towards the High Council's ideology. "What do you believe?"
"And why does it matter what I believe?" Qui Gon questioned. "Most would believe the word of the high council is sufficient."
"But the high council is not here, is it?" Anakin replied after a moment of ponder. "You are. That means my immediate survival and wellbeing is in your hands, not the Council's. It would be prudent to understand you, thus, would it not?"
"A very pragmatic outlook," Qui Gon admitted, almost reluctantly admiring. Obi Wan quashed the sliver of jealousy that serpented its way from his heart. It was the Jedi way. "Curious, for one so young to have such."
"Perhaps I misspoke, I merely thought it a reasonable assumption. You are more aware than your apprentice in that regard. Your apprentice is rigid...idealistic You speak mildly, yet I can tell your aura is more prepared...more weary...more fluid. I believed that bluntness rather than deception is ideal for our conversation."
"Your deductions are most impressive," Qui Gon concluded, and there was no mistaking a tinge of awe in the man's voice. A pang of jealousy once again wormed its way into Obi Wan, and he wondered if the slight glance his master gave him was coincidental, or if he had sensed the padawan's distress.
"May I have a look at your work?" Qui Gon inquired. Anakin nodded his assent, handing him the power converter with several parts exposed. Obi Wan noted that it was an older TX-3 model, likely taken from a scrapped ship, though beyond that he could not be certain. Some of the soldering was clearly hand done, though even by his untrained eye it was clear the work was high quality. "Most impressive...you have skilled hands. Bypassing the modulators is no easy feat."
"And also highly illegal," Obi Wan couldn't help but chime in despite the disapproving look from Qui Gon. Anakin dipped his head in acknowledgement.
"Technically it is only illegal if the part enters Republic space...and I have no control over what happens to the part once Watto takes it to the market."
"Regardless, a most impressive piece of work," Qui Gon acknowledged once again, with a pointed look to Obi Wan that caused the padawan to fluster slightly.
Anakin smiled at the compliment, inclining his head in thanks. "Merely the work of experience. With enough time...even a fool can appear a master."
"Indeed," Qui Gon chuckled, handing back the converter to Anakin, who placed it on his table. "I suppose it is your skill that affords you relatively comfortable quarters?"
"It is why I am tolerated at all," Anakin smiled easily. "Those without power...they are jealous, and jealousy builds resentment, resentment to hate, hate to violence. But none of the other slaves will target me, not with my use to Watto."
"You seem content here," Obi Wan mused. Anakin cocked his head curiously at the statement, reminding Obi Wan that this was a child despite his maturity. "Would you leave this behind to be a Jedi?"
"My being here is like a butterfly in a cocoon, waiting for the opportune moment to blossom," Anakin replied, so smoothly Obi Wan blinked for several moments. He had seen politicians with less silvered tongues. "I have nothing here for me. I will come with you, to your Jedi order."
"And if you are rejected?" Obi Wan asked, ignoring Qui Gon's annoyed frown at his bluntness. He expected fear or anger, though Anakin seemed remarkably calm, or perhaps was merely extremely adept at hiding his emotions.
"Then at least you would have gotten me out of slavery," Anakin shrugged. "Plenty of crews looking for a mechanic."
"I doubt it will come to that," Qui Gon interjected. "But if I could take a sample of blood?"
Anakin held out his hand, not flinching when the midichlorian probe pricked his finger and drew blood. Qui Gon eyes, upon reading the probe, nearly bulged out. Sensing his distress, Obi Wan leaned over to take a glimpse.
"Impossible," he blurted out, "not even Master Yoda's count is over fifteen thousand!"
"Calm yourself, padawan. You've seen his aura," Qui Gon chided. "Regardless, it's clear he passes the threshold for him to be taken back to the council."
"You'll have to talk to Watto first, and I doubt he'll be happy to part with me unless you have the credits to back it up."
"We're Jedi of the Republic, surely they don't expect us to pay to recruit one of our own," Obi Wan scoffed. "Not even outer Rimers should be that senseless."
"Well it shouldn't be a problem," Anakin smiled grimly. "In these parts, might is right. Just point a lightsaber at his throat and he'll back down. Credits, no matter how many, are useless if you're dead, afterall."
Qui Gon looked mildly disturbed, while Obi Wan had to fight down a disapproving comment on the tip of the tongue. Looking to his master, he saw Qui Gon's expression become pensive as he gestured for the two to follow him out of the hut. "Perhaps you can lead us to Watto?"
"With pleasure," Anakin smiled dangerously, almost bubbly with excitement as he led the two adults through weaving mud paths, passing other women and children. At Obi Wan's curious gaze, Anakin explained, "The men are out in the mines or hunting, women are only used as breeding mare, caretakers or domestic tasks. Children...well they do bits and pieces here and there."
"How did you-"
"Most outsiders have the same questions," Anakin replied crisply, leading them into a large building. They passed by several droids and shelves stocked with parts. A few of the more shady looking purviewers of merchandise growled at the trio, though only Obi Wan seemed to pay this any mind as Anakin led to the two Jedi towards an alien creature, blue, creased skin bobbing in the air courtesy of two insectoid wings mounted on its back.
"Watto, we have guests," Anakin announced, causing the alien to turn towards the duo. He briefly raised a confused brow, before scowling at the sight of the two Jedi.
"What is this? Jedi scum? Better not be stirring up trouble. A few of my boys already told me about you attacking them!" Watto scowled.
"Only in self-defense, I assure you," Qui Gon replied cheerfully. "But that is not here and now. I'm taking young Anakin here with me by mandate of the Jedi Order in the name of the Galactic Republic."
The statement drew silent looks from most in the room, until a snort broke the trance and jeers began to crescendo in volume as several of the thugs guarding the room fingered their weapons, some with blasters, but most with blades or improvised melee weapons.
"There is no Republic here," Watto laughed. "And unless I am very much mistaken, you Jedi aren't allowed to resort to violence, pacifism and all."
The comment drew several laughs from the room as the last of the patrons left the vicinity, leaving only around a dozen thugs leering at the trio. Obi Wan thumbed his lightsaber nervously, though Qui Gon and strangely Anakin seemed completely at ease.
"You will find," Qui Gon ignited his green lightsaber, the blade barely a centimeter from Watto's neck, "that the rumours of our pacifism are greatly exaggerated."
"Hypocrites! You preach your dogma, but it's always might makes right, isn't it? You Core Worlders are all the same, one day you'll get your recompense!" Watto growled. "Besides, the boy doesn't want to leave, does he?"
"All in the room turned to Anakin, who gave a shrug. "They are my people."
"You-you-dare! After all I have done for you!" Watto bellowed angrily, his hands curled into fists, beginning to fly towards the boy until he felt the heat of Qui Gon's lightsaber move closer towards his neck. Reluctantly, the alien raised his hands in appeasement, conceding, "Go! And never show your face back here."
"Let us not overstay our welcome, then," Qui Gon suggested lightly, raking the rear as Obi Wan guided Anakin out of the shop. Only as they made it past the alley corner and onto a busy street did the trio relax. Anakin's expression became a full grin, causing Qui Gon and even Obi Wan a bit of amusement.
"That was incredible! The rumours are wrong then. People would have you believe that the Jedi just sit in their temple meditating all day, but that's not the truth isn't it?" Anakin eagerly questioned. Obi Wan bit down on a frown, while Qui Gon appeared distinctly uncomfortable.
"You will find, young Anakin, that my philosophy differs greatly from that of the Council."
"So...you mean…"
"There are some truth to the rumours," Qui Gon admitted.
"Master!" Obi Wan protested.
"Would you have me lie to young Anakin here?"
"No...but...you could have more tact. Surely you realise that I'm going to have to report this confrontation. The Council is displeased with you as is, they would not approve of your violence."
"What violence?" Anakin piped up. At Qui Gon's gesture to elaborate, he shrugged, "By intimidating them with a show of force, you managed to prevent any fight from breaking out. If you had tried diplomacy with Watto, it would have shown weakness in their mind, and led to a far graver confrontation."
"An outlook I am inclined to agree with," Qui Gon mused almost affectionately as he patted Anakin on the shoulder. "As my old master would say, 'when bathed too long in the stench of corruption and stagnancy, we become tolerant and ignorant to the suffering of the oppressed, and grow only concerned with that of the oppressor."
"Right! If you don't use the power you have, that's just essentially deferring to the next most powerful force. Pacifism is to surrender to tyranny and corruption!" Anakin exclaimed, causing Qui Gon to glow in appreciation, clearly not expecting such an answer.
"A very insightful answer, young Anakin," he praised, making the boy beam. "Come now, we should make haste back to the ship. I believe that Quilan Vos and his apprentice Satele should have concluded their negotiations with the Hutts."
"Negotiations?" Anakin perked up, causing Qui Gon to laugh at the enthusiasm. Even Obi Wan couldn't help a fond smile. "Can you tell me more."
"I suppose it won't hurt," Qui Gon mused. "The Republic is trying to gain its corporations access to Hutt Space without overbearing tariffs. The Hutts seem equally interested in signing an agreement."
"But that doesn't make sense," Anakin protested, startling the two Jedi, "the Hutts violate several thousand Republic laws and mandates by the day. To sign the treaty, the Hutts would demand that slavery be legalised…"
Both Jedi appeared slightly uncomfortable at the topic, causing Anakin's expression to darken. "The Republic isn't going to free the slaves, or punish the pirates, are they?"
"Indeed that is doubtful," Qui Gon admitted after an uncomfortable pause in which the two Jedi averted Anakin's challenging gaze. "Alas, it is not the mandate of the Jedi to interfere with political matters."
"Then why serve as enforcers at all?" Anakin challenged. "That seems quite contradictory, to promulgate policies you have no say in. From the sound of it, the Republic needs the Jedi to enforce its mandates, what do the Jedi gain out of it?"
"The Jedi are servants of the Republic," Obi Wan interjected. "We don't do things for personal gain, it isn't our way."
"Oh, so the Republic doesn't fund the Jedi, grant it sweeping powers or the right to essentially take children from their families?" Anakin questioned innocently. Obi Wan gaped, unable to form a coherent response.
"That is...an interesting perspective," Qui Gon admitted, "and one not talked about enough. The state of the Jedi today is fundamentally based on the post-Ruusan reformations, after which the Jedi slowly moved away from politics. Without the looming specter of the Sith, many in the order felt it unwise to involve ourselves in the day-to-day runnings of the Republic. Gradually, our role transformed from one of leadership to one of mediation and advising."
"But to lose connections to the people who you proclaim to serve? Is that not the height of ignorance and hypocrisy?" Anakin queried. Qui Gon remained silent, which Obi Wan wondered if it was because he had no answer to give. He clamped down on his own doubts, it wasn't the Jedi way to question the Council, surely the masters would be able to answer these questions with their wisdom.
They arrived back at the ship, which Anakin eyed with poorly concealed awe, almost bouncing up the ramp to the bemusement of the crew member who had come to greet them.
"Master Jedi," the blue uniformed Republic pilot dipped his head in greeting, "I take it your trip was successful."
"Indeed," Qui Gon nodded satisfiedly. "Has Vos finished his negotiations?"
"They are concluding, and should be finished by the time we manage to fly over there."
"Very good. I need to get Anakin settled into his quarters first, but our business on Tatooine is concluded."
"Very well, I'll set course for Nar Shaddaa then," the pilot acknowledged before heading deeper into the ship. Obi Wan quickly excused himself, leaving Anakin to follow Qui Gon as they navigated through the diplomatic cruiser, past several curious crew members who eyed the boy with expressions ranging from amusement to disinterest. Qui Gon stopped them in one of the shorter hallways, waving his hand over a console and unlocking it. Inside, they were greeted by a slightly cramped room, fitted with a small bathroom unit, two beds, a pair of desks and a closet. One side of the room was slightly messy, sheets creased and several robes scattered about the room.
"Right, you'll be sharing the room with padawan Shan, who we will be picking up soon. Hopefully she will be able to answer any questions you have while I work with master Vos to finalise the negotiations. Before I leave you to be settled in, do you have any questions?"
"Is there any...access to information? I don't want to burden you with ignorance."
"Ah," Qui Gon smiled indulgently, gesturing towards the desk. Pressing a button, several pieces of glass rose up, before lightening up with information. Anakin's gaze became starved as he quickly sat down in front of the desk, quickly beginning to type and scroll through the archives. Qui Gon quirked an eyebrow, himself struggling to keep up with the information flowing through despite his familiarity on most topics. Anakin, however, seemed to have no trouble, his fingers a blur as he jumped from page to page, several recordings playing at once while he was still scrolling through different pages of text.
"How are you reading so fast?" Qui Gon asked, looking away to prevent himself from getting dizzy. Anakin turned around, his hands pausing as he smiled.
"Our powers can augment us in many ways."
"The force, you mean?"
"Indeed," Anakin nodded.
"I've never heard of such an application of the force," Qui Gon mused. Anakin frowned, giving him a piercing glance before shrugging.
"Perhaps not consciously, but it's present. How else would a Jedi process all of the sensory input. The CNS processes a thousandth of a percent of the sensory inputs we feel. The conscious mind processes a thousandth of that. Surely you would have felt some augmentation in yourself?"
Qui Gon paused, considering the statement for several moments while Anakin observed for his reaction patiently.
"I suppose...that would explain the relatively high intelligence metrics of Jedi," Qui Gon mused appreciatively, eyeing Anakin appraisingly. "You have quite a bit of insight for one so young, may I inquire as to how?"
"Watto likes to bring me in for negotiations, I have a knack for quickly gathering information and observations," Anakin responded. "To experience the...diverse cultures and absorb their lessons...you pick up a few bits of wisdom here and there."
"Hmm, so I suppose you would know how to analyse, influence...perhaps charm others?"
"I dabble."
"Quite a bit, if Wattos' fondness for you seems to be any indication," Qui Gon smiled. "I suppose I must admit my curiosity in why you must antagonise my padawan so."
"Oh?" Anakin questioned, before his lips curled upwards. "There's little to gain with any reaction towards him. He'll always be deferential towards tradition, convention and authority, and little else will convince him."
"Not everything is about gain," Qui Gon chided. "You disapprove of his deference to the high council?"
"I do. Obi Wan follows because it is trained into him, not out of reason or belief. In many ways, he is very much the zealot citizens of the galaxy accuse Jedi of being. Such a path is dangerous...leads to stagnancy and ignorance, something I sense you agree with."
"You do realise that many on the High Council disagree with me on my opinions."
"I do."
"Would it not be more advantageous for you to follow their wisdom?"
"Not everything is about gain," Anakin returned, causing Qui Gon to break out in a grin.
"I sense great potential in you, Anakin," Qui Gon praised. given its necessity to become superhuman."
"You continue to impress," Qui Gon chuckled. "I must admit my curiosity to your upbringing. This sort of insight surely does not come in the line of work Watto engages in."
"But it does with the Hutts," Anakin proffered. Qui Gon's composure faltered at his dark look. "With enough credits, a Hutt would give you anything you could imagine. Neural implants, servants and slaves, mercenary armies, spice...anything really. When Watto deals with the Hutts, I'm often there alongside and get to learn."
"Most impressive...it sounds like you're more of a second in command...and yet you have no reluctance to leave?" Anakin gave a cold laugh that elicited a shudder from the Jedi.
"We had a mutually beneficial agreement, no love lost on either side. Nothing more, nothing less."
"And your family? Will you not miss them?"
"Acquaintances at best," Anakin shrugged. At Qui Gon's surprised look, he sighed. "To be different...well it paints a target on your back. For a slave to be of my station...familial bonds are nothing when you are hungry. Not so different from no parents to know of, like most Jedi. Let's leave it at that."
Qui Gon dipped his head in acquiescence, leaving the room deep in thought as Anakin returned to surfing the holonet, clearly absorbing information at a prodigious rate. Striding down the corridor, he nodded to the crew, thankful the veterans weren't as awestruck as newer recruits, or at least better at concealing the fact.
Arriving at the conference room, he saw Obi Wan just finish his report towards the Council, flashing him a worried look before leaving the room.
"Masters," Qui Gon bowed his head in deference towards the twelve holographic images of the high council members.
"Obi Wan just gave us his report, including a disturbing suggestion of pre-emptive violence," Jedi Master Ki Adi Mundi, a Cerelian with an elongated head owing to his binary brain, reprimanded.
"Listen to Master Qui Gon, before judge, shouldn't we, hmm?" Master Yoda, a goblin like creature with wrinkly green skin and the last vestiges of white hair fading from his head, questioned. Grand Master Mace Windu, a dark skinned human male seated in the middle of the three-quarter circle the council seats formed, rubbed his chin thoughtfully before nodding in agreement and gesturing for Qui Gon to speak.
"My goal was always the prevention of violence. Given I managed to sense hostility radiating from individuals in several instances, the use of limited pre-emptive force managed to prevent any significant violence or loss of life."
"You dismembered someone's hand," Mundi interjected before a warning glare from Windu caused him to back down with a huff.
"Perhaps you should explain yourself, master Qui Gon."
"They were obstructing the path, and had reinforcements lingering. I sensed at least six other individuals nearby ready to engage. I believed a show of force was the ideal method to discourage this," Qui Gon answered serenely. Windu hummed thoughtfully, looking towards Yoda.
"Understandable, your actions were, in my opinion. Curious, why Padawan Kenobi did not report this, I am."
"My padawan is...admittedly not gifted in ways of the force. He works hard, and when aware can act similar to his peers, but he is unable to subconsciously tap into the force like most others."
"I see," Windu murmured, pulsing his hands together as he looked towards the other masters to see if anyone had anything to add. Seeing none, he sighed. "Given the circumstances, I can hardly fault you for your actions, but you do realise that it's caused trouble with the negotiations. The Hutts want a clause excluding Jedi from their space formally."
"Past, unable to change, we are," Yoda added thoughtfully. "Of the boy, tell us, hmm?"
At this Qui Gon couldn't help an eager smile, something which all of the Jedi Masters noted. "He is extremely in tune with the force...with training, I have no doubt he will go far. Farther than me certainly."
"High praise, coming from you," Windu spoke with hesitant skepticism. "Has the boy truly managed to impress you thus?"
"He has insights that I would be hard pressed to make. In fact, he suggested that all Jedi augment their minds using the force...I won't bore you with the details, but he has me convinced."
"Preposterous! Mind alterations are a Sith practice!" Mundi protested. Several other masters nodded in agreement, only stalled by Windu's raised hand.
"That is a valid concern, perhaps you should give us the details," the Grand Master instructed, ignoring the sour look on several Jedi masters. Qui Gon fought down a smirk at this, dipping his head in acknowledgement.
"Yes, Master Windu. I was fortunate to witness his prodigious ability in analysing information at a rate I admit to finding disorienting. When asked how he managed that, young Skywalker suggested that the force was being used to augment his mind to amplify the number of sensory inputs his conscious mind processed. He suggested that we all unconsciously do this to some degree, similar to how we modulate our bodies to remain physically peaked, our minds are also greater than a non-force sensitive ceteris paribus. It would certainly explain our reflexes and general intelligence."
"That is an interesting perspective," Windu mused thoughtfully, surprising many in the room with the reluctantly impressed inflexion his voice contained. "That is the insight I would have expected from a master, not an adept. Though that brings up another concern of mine. His age."
"Master?"
"A Jedi is not supposed to have attachments. Do you believe that one as old as Skywalker would be able to deal with that?"
"I do not believe that will be a problem," Qui Gon assured. "He is...apathetic at best towards any relation he has. He is eager to leave his former life behind."
"Do you have anything else to add?" Windu asked after pondering the information.
"He has a connection to force that is almost unbelievable. An M count of twenty one thousand."
"Impossible!" Kit Fisto interjected, with several mutters of agreement from other Jedi. Windu's eyes narrowed as he turned towards Yoda, seeking the green master's counsel.
"Strange...this development is. Sensed him earlier, would we have not?"
"The force has a will of its own, master Yoda. Perhaps Skywalker was revealed to us only when he was ready," Qui Gon proffered. Several other Jedi masters grumbled at this assertion, though none spoke up in direct opposition. Windu let out a sigh.
"Let us not delve into your beliefs in regard to the force again, Master Jinn," he asserted, to which Qui Gon dipped his head in acquiescence. "We all know that M counts are at best unreliable, an indicator, not a true test of force potential. I do not believe we will make much progress in deliberating this further. Unless you have anything else to report?"
Qui Gon shook his head, nodding his head at the thanks the council provided for his report before turning off the communicator. A concerned Obi Wan entered the room, though Qui Gon assuaged the padawan's fears with a nonchalant smile.
Author note:
Welcome to my latest personal project: a complete rewrite of the Star Wars saga. Why not start out in a completely seperate fiction? Great question, and one I considered myself. I have my own stories I want to write one day, but I feel that I remain too inexperienced in writing to do such ideas the justice I feel they deserve. Thus, I am embarking on this writing project, not only out of my frustrations for the Disney sequel trilogy, but also as a personal pet project. Before we continue, I'd like you to understand this isn't meant to replace the Star Wars we grew up with by any means. George Lucas, for his brilliant vision, remains my personal hero, one I can only aspire to imitate, let alone regard as a peer or surpass. However, consider this the thought experiment of what Star Wars could have been had this silly child been at the helm of the series.
I want to acknowledge that several characters will be out of character compared to the main Star Wars universe. In particular, Obi Wan Kenobi will not be the beloved brotherly figure we got in the movie, as much as it pains me to do this. For the plot I had in mind, his character would have to be distorted beyond recognition for anything to make sense, so I have relegated him to a sidenote in my work. In other words, I have no idea how to do justice to the character, so I'm not going to even try. I also want to note that some of you may recognise plot elements from the amazing video game KOTOR or various Timothy Zahn works, notably the Thrawn Trilogy and Star Wars: Thrawn trilogy.
At the moment, I'm only doing odd bits and pieces of writing in between studying for my IB diploma, so don't expect a regular update schedule :( Hopefully in the summer, I will be able to write far more consistently, though for now, I've got the first three chapters done.