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Chapter Twenty-Seven
"You're flying too fast, Master."
Obi-Wan glanced over at Aalea who sat next to him. The lights from the instrument panel of the cockpit lit up the angles of her face in a kaleidoscope of colors and her black hair shone from the starglow outside the window. She didn't look at him as she spoke. She continued to stare out at the stars as they streaked past.
"No," he said tightly. "You are wrong. I am not flying too fast."
Aalea only shrugged and pulled her seat strap tighter across her body.
Obi-Wan frowned. He and Aalea had left Coruscant three hours ago but she had spent most of their flying time in the back of the ship. He had finally gotten tired of being alone so he had ordered her to join him in the cockpit, ostensibly to show her some of the features of the skipship.
However, although she had listened dutifully, her only responses had been an unenthusiastic string of "Yes, Master" and "That's very interesting, Master," which had finally irritated him so much he had given up talking to her.
Which seemed to suit her fine for she had then turned away from him and stared silently out the window. Now that she had finally spoken, he decided it was a good time to again make sure she understood the seriousness of their mission.
"Aalea."
"Yes, Master."
"I think we should go over the mission before we reach Sylvonna."
Aalea nodded. "That is very wise, Master. I would never have thought of such a thing, being that I am only a lowly padawan."
Obi-Wan glanced over at her. He couldn't tell from her expression if she was making fun of him, but he didn't particularly care for the lilt in her voice when she said master.
"Aalea, you don't have to call me "master" all the time."
"I know that, Master."
Obi-Wan sighed then continued. "We must remember to always conduct ourselves in a manner appropriate as representatives of the Republic and the Jedi Order."
"Of course, Master. I wouldn't dream of doing anything else. Though I do find your use of the word "we" interesting."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you are Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"And?"
She turned towards him, her violet eyes gazing intently into his.
"Well, I just couldn't imagine you would ever do anything which would be considered inappropriate, Master. You are the very model of the perfect Jedi. Or so I've heard," she added with just the hint of a thin smile.
Obi-Wan knew that wasn't true; she was just trying to bait him. He decided to ignore her comment.
"Do you have any questions or concerns regarding the mission, Aalea?"
"Like what, Master?"
"Well, I've been on a number of diplomatic missions with Master Qui-Gon over the years and I know you and Knight Ke-Ondra were usually not given such assignments. Maybe there's something I could help you with."
Aalea shook her head. "I've read the mission briefs, Master, and I know what is expected of us. We are to serve as Guardians of the Peace and Honorary Bodyguards to the bride and groom. Sounds straightforward to me."
"Yes, but we must remain cautious. Remember, Sylvonna and Tarkasia were at war for 200 years. There may still be some resentment regarding the armistice. We must watch, listen, and not let our guard down."
"Of course, Master. I shall, as you say, not let my guard down."
Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "Aalea, I sense that you're not happy about the mission---"
Aalea turned towards him, her eyes wide. "What ever gave you that idea, Master?"
"What? Well, I don't know, you---"
"I'm sorry, Master, but you're quite wrong. I'm very happy about the mission."
"I see," Obi-Wan said, nodding dubiously. "You're very happy about the mission. But there's nothing else bothering you, right?"
Aalea shrugged. "I am a Jedi. I live to serve."
"That's not an answer, Aalea."
"Are you ordering me to give you a different answer, Master?"
"Of course I'm not ordering you!" Obi-Wan took a deep breath. He looked down at the panel before him. Satisfied they were still on course for Sylvonna, he turned towards Aalea. She had gone back to staring out the window.
"Look, Aalea, I think for the sake of the mission we should clear up any misunderstandings between us. If we're to succeed, we must work together. If there are any problems, we should try to solve them before we get to Sylvonna."
Aalea shook her head. "I hate to disappoint you, Master, but I don't have a problem." She shifted in her seat, then turned towards him. "But, I'm thinking that since you brought the subject up in the first place, perhaps it's you who has a problem."
He was about to assure her he didn't, but he knew that wasn't so. Maybe it was better to tell her the truth and get it out in the open.
"All right, Aalea," he said. "I wasn't entirely pleased when I was told you had been assigned as my acting apprentice."
Aalea said nothing for a moment, but her eyes grew wider.
"Really, Master? Why not?" she finally asked in a dangerously quiet voice.
"Because you're not experienced with these kinds of missions. Diplomatic missions require a certain level of prudence."
"A certain level of prudence," Aalea repeated, her eyes glittering.
"Yes, and though I understand you were a diligent and hard-working student under Knight Ke-Ondra's tutelage, I've also heard you're somewhat impulsive and rash. Attributes which can be disastrous on missions like this."
"Oh, you heard that, did you?" she said, her dark brows rising.
"Yes, I did."
"But not from Master Ke-Ondra?"
"No, but I've---"
Aalea tilted her head, her violet eyes darkening as she held his gaze.
"And you're telling me this because?"
"Because it's the truth," he said simply.
"The truth," she repeated, nodding. "All right. Let us be truthful with one another. Permission to speak freely?"
"Of course, Aalea."
"I also wasn't pleased at being assigned to you. As far as I'm concerned, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you've been given authority over me that you haven't rightly earned. You're not a Knight yet."
Obi-Wan glanced sharply over at her. She boldly met his eyes, her chin lifted.
"It wasn't my decision, Aalea," he said, his voice harsh with frustration. "It was the Council's. And if I'd been given a choice, I wouldn't have---."
Obi-Wan stopped, took a deep breath, and swiveled back towards the instrument panel.
"You wouldn't have chosen me," Aalea finished coolly.
Obi-Wan remained quiet for a long moment, his gaze fastened on the panel before him.
"No," he finally said. "I wouldn't have."
Aalea said nothing. She turned away from him. When Obi-Wan glanced at her out of the corner of his eye all he could see was her profile and it was set in stone.
They sat like that for awhile, neither saying a word to the other. Then Obi-Wan decided he couldn't stand her brooding silence any longer.
"Aalea, if you wish, you don't have to stay up here with me."
She sat silently for a long moment. Then she unhooked her seat strap and stood. She looked down at him.
"Permission to leave, Master?"
Obi-Wan nodded curtly and Aalea moved past him and headed toward the back of the ship. When he heard the cockpit door slide shut behind him, he finally released his breath.
That hadn't gone well. He didn't understand it. He had faced down pirates, marauders, raiders and Hutts, but when it came to Aalea he was never quite certain what he should say or do. He wondered what Qui-Gon would have done in this situation.
To be continued....