Shiantar By:Andre Rivera

Obi-Wan stared out the windows of the Republic Cruiser called , The Antione. He was nervous about this new mission he and Qui-Gon were assigned to. This mission would take them far beyond the Outer Rim to a planet called Shiantar about 5 days away from Coruscant. Shiantar was a planet not of the Republic and only recently they have requested to join the Republic. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were sent to observe the ways of the people and talk with it's leaders.

They had just left Coruscant an hour ago and the trip to Shiantar would be long and boring. At least that's what Obi-Wan thought.

Obi-Wan sat in his quarters staring up at the ceiling. It was the only thing he could do to pass time. He wanted to go explore the ship , but he thought about doing that later.

********************* Bant and Siri Tachi wandered around the hangar looking for their ship , The Antigone. Their masters Tahl and Adi Gallia were sent on a mission to Malastare and the Council requested that the two Padawan's join their masters.

"There it is!" Bant hapilly announced."The Antigone! Come on Siri let's go!"

Siri and Bant rushed towards the Republic Cruiser. Upon entering the ship , the doors behind them were sealed shut. The ship was beginning to take off .

Bant approached a pilot who was nearby. "Excuse me sir , but is this ship heading for Malastare?" she asked.

The pilot looked at her with confusion. "I'm sorry but this ship is heading for Shiantar not Malastare."

Bant began to panick and sweat trickled down from her blue forehead. She was sure that they were on the right ship. She asked the pilot another question."But sir isn't this the Antigone?"

Now the pilot looked even more confused. "No young ladies you are on The Antione. I believe you might have gotten on the wrong ship. The Antigone is not scheduled to leave until this evening. "

"Sith! We're on the wrong ship!" she screamed angrily at herself. She needed to get off. "Please pilot you must turn this ship back. We are greatly needed on Malastare."

"I'm sorry" the pilot apologized. "but I have strict orders from the Chancellor that this ship remain on course unless instructed to do so by the Councellor himself."

"Oh no! This is all my fault!" Bant said covering her face with her hands. "We must contact the Council immediately and inform them of our situation."

Siri just looked at her. "Look what you've gotten us into Bant. Our Master's will be furious."

"Maybe this mission will be fun for the both of us."Bant replied , trying to smile. "I hope..."

"Yea right...."

***************** Obi-Wan was about to fall asleep when he saw someone standing at his door. He looked up in surprise. "Bant? Siri? What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Bant here needs to get those eyes checked. We were suppose to be on our way to Malastare until Bant got on the wrong ship. Now we're stuck here until this mission is over." Siri answered.

Bant tried to remain as calm as possible. After all this wasn't all her fault. Right? Maybe it was. "I'm sorry Siri. " she apologized. "Hey but look on the bright side. At least Obi-Wan is here."

Siri sighed. "Yea , I guess you're right."

"I think we should tell Qui-Gon about this." Obi-Wan suggested. "Have you told the Council yet?"

"Yes." Siri answered. "The Council wishes for us to accompany you and Qui-Gon on your mission."

"All right then. Let's tell Master Qui-Gon about this."

***************** Qui-Gon sat on the table looking over the papers he needed for the mission ahead of him. This was certainly going to be a long and tiring mission. This was the second time he had to travel to a planet that wanted to join the Republic. The first time he gone alone. He was without a Padawan then. This time he was glad Obi-Wan was with him. He enjoyed the company of Obi-Wan. Every mission the two had been to certainly seemed to get more interesting as it progressed.

Qui-Gon felt Obi-Wan's familiar presence nearby along with two others. He looked over and saw Obi-Wan with his two friends Bant and Siri.

"Obi-Wan. What is going on here? Why are Bant and Siri here?" he asked.

"Master." he began. " They accidentally boarded the wrong ship and now the Council request that they join us on our mission."

"Well then." Qui-Gon said. "I guess the more the merrier. Obi-Wan please explain to your friends the mission."

"Yes Master." Obi-Wan replied.

****************** The five days it took to arrive at the planet of Shiantar were short. Obi-Wan had spent most of the time talking to Bant and Siri. Qui-Gon joined the conversations once in a while , but he spent most of his time going over the mission. Now he had to take care of two others. Obi-Wan could certainly cause a lot of trouble sometimes , but now he was with two of his best friends. He could only imagine the kind of havoc they could wreak.

Now that they had finally arrived on the planet things would get even more complicated. He hoped that Tahl and Adi's guidance had had a great effect on their Padawans.

The planet of Shiantar was beautiful and green. Forests stretched as far as the eye can see. The air was fresh and clean , unlike the smog filled air of Coruscant. The city's architecture was unique and remarkable. Never had Qui-Gon seen such a peaceful planet. People of different races wandered the spaceport and they were getting along. Most of the spaceports Qui-Gon had visited were full of hostile beings , starting trouble with anyone that got in their way. The sky was a bright white color and the five moons circling the planet formed a circle in the sky.

As the four Jedi exited the ship a woman approached them. She was Corellian from the looks of her and beside her stood another Corellian a few inches shorter than her with much darker skin. "Hello honorable Jedi . " she greeted them. "I am Areiminita Kriya , assistant to the mayor of Shiantar . This is my student Serichimi Trukno. The Mayor wishes to see a Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice. Is it possible that any of you might know him?"

"I am he." Qui-Gon answered. "This is my apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi . The other 2 are Siri Tachi and Bant. The Jedi Council had insisted that they accompany us on our mission. They too are Jedi Padawans. I hope that it is no trouble at all bringing them along."

"Oh certainly not." Areiminita replied. "Now please come with me. The mayor wishes to speak with you immediately."

Areiminita led them to the center of the spaceport where a giant building stood. The place was most likely very important for being placed in the center of the city. Obi-Wan stood beside Qui-Gon during the trip. Siri and Bant followed not too far behind them.

The building was made of a magnificent material of which were unknown to the four Jedi. It looked like a mix between marble and concrete but it was a blue color. The building was surrounded by yellow flowers that shone like gold. A pond was located to the left of the house. A few Shiantarians sat beside the pond. Staring and admiring it's beauty. Areiminita informed them that the place was called the Light Of Shiantar for it was where peace and order were kept. The Light Of the Shiantar was certainly a beautiful sight to see. The four Jedi had never seen anything s beautiful. The only thing that could rival it's beauty was the The Room Of A Thousand Fountains located inside the Jedi Temple.

Bant and Siri were certainly filled with awe , but Obi-Wan seemed troubled by something. This was something Qui-Gon noticed quite often on missions. Obi-Wan always felt something disturbing whenever he was on missions , but sometimes those feelings were just his own fears and insecurities. Qui-Gon would talk to the boy about this later. Now was definately not the time. They had an important mission to fulfill. *************