CHAPTER 5
Qui-Gon left his former master and proceeded to the Jedi Temple where he spent more time in the meditation gardens, only this time he was undisturbed. During this time he made his decision on Count Dooku's offer and went to his Temple quarters for a sleepless night. He arose early in the morning and set out in search of his Padawan. He once again found Obi- Wan in the archives. Qui-Gon smirked and thought, "Such a data worm. I could never spend as much time in here as he does researching so many different things. Perhaps he'll end up being made a Jedi Historian instead of a Jedi Knight by the council if he decides to stay in this order."
He walked over to the younger man, rested a hand on his shoulder and said, "What are you researching this time?"
Obi-Wan looked at his master and said, "I'm just trying to figure out how many Jedi have been denied trials, and how old the oldest human Jedi to ever be granted the trials the trials was."
Qui-Gon smiled at his somber student and said, "What if I tell you that you could be a knight long before that Jedi was?"
Obi-Wan looked at Qui-Gon, puzzlement evident on his face.
"Come with me. I don't want to talk here, but we need to talk." Qui-Gon answered his student's look.
After all the years the two men spent together Obi-Wan knew better than to do anything other than as instructed by his master, plus his curiosity was piqued. He wanted to be a knight more than anything else and if Qui-Gon knew a way to make it happen he wanted to take the walk.
The two men walked through the Temple to the Meditation Gardens. Jedi always respected each other's privacy, but it was more so in the gardens. Here is where a Jedi reflects on his most inner thoughts, and holds his most serious discussions with his Padawan. A Jedi will use the Force to block out another's conversation here so that nothing is overheard. Only the closest of Jedi, such as Qui-Gon and Liak will approach each other here, and even the closest of Jedi won't approach when any Jedi are already speaking to each other.
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan walked down one of the many trails in the garden in silence. The landscaper who designed this garden so many centuries ago did a wonderful job. If you didn't know better, you'd believe you were in a natural forest on a moon such as Endor or a planet like Kashyyyk.
"Master, you said you wanted to discuss something with me. I have to admit that I am nervous about whatever it is you have to say. Please start." Obi- Wan began the conversation.
"What if I were to tell you that I've done a lot of serious thinking about the Order and I'm going to be leaving it?" Qui-Gon asked.
Obi-Wan stopped walking out of shock and gave his master a look of serious disbelief and asked, "What do you mean master. You are not leaving the order. This is some sort of test right?"
Qui-Gon stopped walking also and shook his head from side to side slowly and said, "No Obi-Wan. This is no test. I am leaving the order and I want you to come with me."
"I left the order once remember? Back on Melida/Daan you weren't very happy with me when I made the decision to do it. Why are you and why are you asking me to join you in doing so now?"
Qui-Gon put his hand on his Padawan's shoulder and said, "I was wrong. You were right to leave the order back then. You saw something that I failed to see at the time. The Jedi have ceased being the protectors of the innocent and have become tools of enforcement for the Republic, or to be even more specific, the Supreme Chancellor."
Obi-Wan looked and Qui-Gon completely dumbfounded, "If I do leave with you, what will we do?"
"I ran into my old master today. Master Dooku. We talked for a long time and he opened my eyes to a few things. He showed me how corrupt, beyond hope of repair both the Senate and the Jedi Order have become." Qui-Gon paused, as if trying to figure out how to best say what he wanted to say next.
Then he continued, "Master Dooku is restoring the Republic and the Jedi Order to what it once was. I'm joining him. We discussed you, I told him how I honestly feel about you and he is willing to bring you into the true Jedi Order as a knight. The reason for this is that the council has allowed themselves to be blinded by the dark side. The sith have returned and are slowly gaining control of the Senate."
This caught Obi-Wan's attention, "No trials?"
"No trials. Your strength in facing what is false, no matter how hard it is for you inside, no matter how much it goes against everything I or anyone else ever taught you, and to take up what is true will be your trial."
"Ever since I was rejected for being a knight, I have considered the wisdom of the council. I am ready to be a knight." Obi-Wan stated.
"Just as I told Master Dooku." Qui-Gon responded.
Obi-Wan smiled and said, "You've been the closest thing to a father I've ever known. Your wisdom matches or exceeds anyone else I know. I know you wouldn't miss lead me. I am now the third member of the true Jedi Order."
The two men shook hands by grasping onto each other's elbows and Qui-Gon said, "Good."
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon began to leave the Jedi Temple for the last time. They were in the main hall, right outside of the council chambers when Dule Pas'Tar, the bald headed, pitch black skinned Sakiyan Jedi Master whose Padawan is Blackmar Nalar, stopped them.
"Master Jinn. I'd like to speak to you for a second if I may." The Sakiyan said.
"This isn't a good time Master Pas'Tar." Qui-Gon answered.
"It is about your Padawan. He tried to kill Blackmar Nalar yesterday." Dule said pretending as if Qui-Gon had said nothing.
"Master Pas'Tar, I told you that this isn't a good time. We can speak when I get back." Qui-Gon insisted.
"Master Jinn, we will speak now or I'll have to speak to the Jedi Council about this. This is a serious matter and needs to be addressed, not pushed aside."
His anger showed in Qui-Gon's voice as he said. "Be my guest. When you speak to the council, do me a favor and inform them that Obi-Wan and I are no longer in the order."
Pas'Tar looked stunned by the news, "What?" he said.
"You heard me. We are leaving the Jedi Order. Good thing you told me about Obi-Wan's behavior now because we aren't coming back.
Without another word being said, Qui-Gon continued walking and Obi-Wan followed.
"I still don't understand why you want to bring Anakin along. The creation of a new government as well as a Jedi Order won't be an easy Task." Obi-Wan said as the two walked the streets of Coruscant towards the Naboo Consulate.
"We are putting you where you rightfully belong, as a Jedi Knight. Shouldn't we also place Anakin where he belongs?" Qui-Gon answered.
"Of course master. I was just thinking of his welfare."
"If he doesn't want to go with us, I have no intention of making him. However, he is the Chosen One and I really hope he joins us." Qui-Gon said.
The rest of the journey was passed in silence. The two Jedi reached their destination and as usual since the Battle of Naboo were quickly admitted into the Naboo Consulate Wing. They along with Anakin were heroes on Naboo and pretty much had the key to the planet.
"Master Jedi and Obi-Wan. The queen is out at the moment, some sort of last minute discussion with Representative Tartan before we go home." The Queen's primary handmaiden said. She was considered to be the primary handmaiden because she was older and had been in the line of work longer so she held a management position of sorts over the rest of the handmaidens. She is close to Obi-Wan's age.
Qui-Gon answered the handmaiden by saying, "Actually it isn't her that we came to see. Is Anakin around?"
The handmaiden gave a smile that would have melted the heart of any man who hadn't been raised since before he could even remember to believe that attachments romantic or otherwise outside of the Jedi Order were forbidden. Obi-Wan on the other hand was younger and didn't have such control over his hormones.
"Sure. He is in his room. Would you like me to take you to him or would you like me to show you where it is?" The handmaiden asked.
Qui-Gon nodded her and said, "No thanks. I remember where it is."
With that the two Jedi parted ways with the handmaiden and moved to Anakin's room, where they found him sitting on the floor with his arms crossed pouting. He was dressed well, like he had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He wore baggie black pants with a dark red long sleeved shirt with a long purple flowing vest. Just as Padme had said, he looked like a society boy on Naboo.
"What do you want?" Anakin said in a voice that discouraged his guests from staying long.
"I came to see how your doing?" Qui-Gon said.
"Fine I guess." Anakin said looking away from the two Jedi.
"Anakin. Look at me?" Qui-Gon said.
"Why, so you can make me another promise and break it." The boy said.
"Anakin. I want to know if you are happy here or if you'd rather be trained as a Jedi?" Qui-Gon pressed.
"You Jedi have already told me I can't be trained two times."
"What if I say that there were more Jedi. Obi-Wan and I are on our way to join them and leave the Jedi we have been with. With these new Jedi you will be trained. I know this as a fact."
For the first time Anakin looked at Qui-Gon with hope in his eyes, "You promise me for real this time." Anakin said, it wasn't a question.
"I promise you for real this time Anakin."
Anakin jumped up and embraced Qui-Gon in the biggest hug the boy ever gave anyone, "I'll come with you! Oh boy will I come with you!" He said crying.
The three of them walked out of the room to the primary handmaiden. "We are going to take Anakin back to the Temple with us. He is going to become a Jedi after all."
The handmaiden smiled that heart melting smile again and said, "I'm so happy to hear that. I'll tell Queen Amidala when she comes back."
As soon as the three Jedi left the Naboo Consulate Wing Obi-Wan turned and looked at Qui-Gon asking with a smile on his face, "Now, with this new Jedi Order. I will be allowed to date right?"
Qui-Gon chuckled and patted his Padawan on the back but didn't answer.
Qui-Gon immediately returned to Dex's Diner only this time with Obi-Wan and Anakin in tow. They entered the diner, didn't see Dexter anywhere so seated themselves in the same booth Master Dooku had been in the day before. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan sat next to each other with Anakin sitting across the table.
A server droid arrived to the table, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan ordered a Coruscant Twister to drink to help calm their nerves over this unthinkable action they were performing. They were emotion tornados inside and that didn't allow them an appetite. Anakin however out of youth and not fully grasping what he was doing ordered a Junior Java Juice to drink and a stack of Ryloth cakes.
After what seemed like an eternity to the two now former Jedi, Master Dooku arrived, walked over to them and sat down next to Anakin before any of them had a chance to rise in proper greeting.
Introductions were made and Dooku said, "Well. Considering everyone is here I assume that you've decided to join my little venture?"
"Yes we have Master. Obi-Wan and I have discussed it and agree with you that the Jedi Order of the Republic has lost its way and is in need restoration." Qui-Gon replied.
Dooku smiled and said, "Great. Now I'll show you the power that Jedi were born to wield."
"I'm sorry I can't stay at eat with you, but I have some pressing business here that I just simply must attend to before we leave. Meet me at Public Docking Bay 153 in, shall we say an hour." Dooku said standing up. As soon as he said that he left.
Dooku went to a high rise housing complex and stood on the balcony with a robed figure.
"Lord Tyranus, I'm not happy about this." The robed figure known as Darth Sidious said.
"Master. I thought having other Jedi with us would prove advantageous down the road. I'll ensure that they don't learn the truth. Right now they believe they are working to establish the true Jedi Order. They will never know of you." Dooku answered.
"What's done is done Lord Tyranus. I'm not happy, but to not allow them after they have been invited would raise too many questions that I'm not ready to have answered yet. Be warned my apprentice, I will not allow this kind of behavior again. These are the Jedi that killed Lord Maul. In the future, speak to me before undertaking any endeavor of this magnitude on your own.
"Yes my Lord." Tyranus/Dooku said.
Qui-Gon left his former master and proceeded to the Jedi Temple where he spent more time in the meditation gardens, only this time he was undisturbed. During this time he made his decision on Count Dooku's offer and went to his Temple quarters for a sleepless night. He arose early in the morning and set out in search of his Padawan. He once again found Obi- Wan in the archives. Qui-Gon smirked and thought, "Such a data worm. I could never spend as much time in here as he does researching so many different things. Perhaps he'll end up being made a Jedi Historian instead of a Jedi Knight by the council if he decides to stay in this order."
He walked over to the younger man, rested a hand on his shoulder and said, "What are you researching this time?"
Obi-Wan looked at his master and said, "I'm just trying to figure out how many Jedi have been denied trials, and how old the oldest human Jedi to ever be granted the trials the trials was."
Qui-Gon smiled at his somber student and said, "What if I tell you that you could be a knight long before that Jedi was?"
Obi-Wan looked at Qui-Gon, puzzlement evident on his face.
"Come with me. I don't want to talk here, but we need to talk." Qui-Gon answered his student's look.
After all the years the two men spent together Obi-Wan knew better than to do anything other than as instructed by his master, plus his curiosity was piqued. He wanted to be a knight more than anything else and if Qui-Gon knew a way to make it happen he wanted to take the walk.
The two men walked through the Temple to the Meditation Gardens. Jedi always respected each other's privacy, but it was more so in the gardens. Here is where a Jedi reflects on his most inner thoughts, and holds his most serious discussions with his Padawan. A Jedi will use the Force to block out another's conversation here so that nothing is overheard. Only the closest of Jedi, such as Qui-Gon and Liak will approach each other here, and even the closest of Jedi won't approach when any Jedi are already speaking to each other.
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan walked down one of the many trails in the garden in silence. The landscaper who designed this garden so many centuries ago did a wonderful job. If you didn't know better, you'd believe you were in a natural forest on a moon such as Endor or a planet like Kashyyyk.
"Master, you said you wanted to discuss something with me. I have to admit that I am nervous about whatever it is you have to say. Please start." Obi- Wan began the conversation.
"What if I were to tell you that I've done a lot of serious thinking about the Order and I'm going to be leaving it?" Qui-Gon asked.
Obi-Wan stopped walking out of shock and gave his master a look of serious disbelief and asked, "What do you mean master. You are not leaving the order. This is some sort of test right?"
Qui-Gon stopped walking also and shook his head from side to side slowly and said, "No Obi-Wan. This is no test. I am leaving the order and I want you to come with me."
"I left the order once remember? Back on Melida/Daan you weren't very happy with me when I made the decision to do it. Why are you and why are you asking me to join you in doing so now?"
Qui-Gon put his hand on his Padawan's shoulder and said, "I was wrong. You were right to leave the order back then. You saw something that I failed to see at the time. The Jedi have ceased being the protectors of the innocent and have become tools of enforcement for the Republic, or to be even more specific, the Supreme Chancellor."
Obi-Wan looked and Qui-Gon completely dumbfounded, "If I do leave with you, what will we do?"
"I ran into my old master today. Master Dooku. We talked for a long time and he opened my eyes to a few things. He showed me how corrupt, beyond hope of repair both the Senate and the Jedi Order have become." Qui-Gon paused, as if trying to figure out how to best say what he wanted to say next.
Then he continued, "Master Dooku is restoring the Republic and the Jedi Order to what it once was. I'm joining him. We discussed you, I told him how I honestly feel about you and he is willing to bring you into the true Jedi Order as a knight. The reason for this is that the council has allowed themselves to be blinded by the dark side. The sith have returned and are slowly gaining control of the Senate."
This caught Obi-Wan's attention, "No trials?"
"No trials. Your strength in facing what is false, no matter how hard it is for you inside, no matter how much it goes against everything I or anyone else ever taught you, and to take up what is true will be your trial."
"Ever since I was rejected for being a knight, I have considered the wisdom of the council. I am ready to be a knight." Obi-Wan stated.
"Just as I told Master Dooku." Qui-Gon responded.
Obi-Wan smiled and said, "You've been the closest thing to a father I've ever known. Your wisdom matches or exceeds anyone else I know. I know you wouldn't miss lead me. I am now the third member of the true Jedi Order."
The two men shook hands by grasping onto each other's elbows and Qui-Gon said, "Good."
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon began to leave the Jedi Temple for the last time. They were in the main hall, right outside of the council chambers when Dule Pas'Tar, the bald headed, pitch black skinned Sakiyan Jedi Master whose Padawan is Blackmar Nalar, stopped them.
"Master Jinn. I'd like to speak to you for a second if I may." The Sakiyan said.
"This isn't a good time Master Pas'Tar." Qui-Gon answered.
"It is about your Padawan. He tried to kill Blackmar Nalar yesterday." Dule said pretending as if Qui-Gon had said nothing.
"Master Pas'Tar, I told you that this isn't a good time. We can speak when I get back." Qui-Gon insisted.
"Master Jinn, we will speak now or I'll have to speak to the Jedi Council about this. This is a serious matter and needs to be addressed, not pushed aside."
His anger showed in Qui-Gon's voice as he said. "Be my guest. When you speak to the council, do me a favor and inform them that Obi-Wan and I are no longer in the order."
Pas'Tar looked stunned by the news, "What?" he said.
"You heard me. We are leaving the Jedi Order. Good thing you told me about Obi-Wan's behavior now because we aren't coming back.
Without another word being said, Qui-Gon continued walking and Obi-Wan followed.
"I still don't understand why you want to bring Anakin along. The creation of a new government as well as a Jedi Order won't be an easy Task." Obi-Wan said as the two walked the streets of Coruscant towards the Naboo Consulate.
"We are putting you where you rightfully belong, as a Jedi Knight. Shouldn't we also place Anakin where he belongs?" Qui-Gon answered.
"Of course master. I was just thinking of his welfare."
"If he doesn't want to go with us, I have no intention of making him. However, he is the Chosen One and I really hope he joins us." Qui-Gon said.
The rest of the journey was passed in silence. The two Jedi reached their destination and as usual since the Battle of Naboo were quickly admitted into the Naboo Consulate Wing. They along with Anakin were heroes on Naboo and pretty much had the key to the planet.
"Master Jedi and Obi-Wan. The queen is out at the moment, some sort of last minute discussion with Representative Tartan before we go home." The Queen's primary handmaiden said. She was considered to be the primary handmaiden because she was older and had been in the line of work longer so she held a management position of sorts over the rest of the handmaidens. She is close to Obi-Wan's age.
Qui-Gon answered the handmaiden by saying, "Actually it isn't her that we came to see. Is Anakin around?"
The handmaiden gave a smile that would have melted the heart of any man who hadn't been raised since before he could even remember to believe that attachments romantic or otherwise outside of the Jedi Order were forbidden. Obi-Wan on the other hand was younger and didn't have such control over his hormones.
"Sure. He is in his room. Would you like me to take you to him or would you like me to show you where it is?" The handmaiden asked.
Qui-Gon nodded her and said, "No thanks. I remember where it is."
With that the two Jedi parted ways with the handmaiden and moved to Anakin's room, where they found him sitting on the floor with his arms crossed pouting. He was dressed well, like he had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He wore baggie black pants with a dark red long sleeved shirt with a long purple flowing vest. Just as Padme had said, he looked like a society boy on Naboo.
"What do you want?" Anakin said in a voice that discouraged his guests from staying long.
"I came to see how your doing?" Qui-Gon said.
"Fine I guess." Anakin said looking away from the two Jedi.
"Anakin. Look at me?" Qui-Gon said.
"Why, so you can make me another promise and break it." The boy said.
"Anakin. I want to know if you are happy here or if you'd rather be trained as a Jedi?" Qui-Gon pressed.
"You Jedi have already told me I can't be trained two times."
"What if I say that there were more Jedi. Obi-Wan and I are on our way to join them and leave the Jedi we have been with. With these new Jedi you will be trained. I know this as a fact."
For the first time Anakin looked at Qui-Gon with hope in his eyes, "You promise me for real this time." Anakin said, it wasn't a question.
"I promise you for real this time Anakin."
Anakin jumped up and embraced Qui-Gon in the biggest hug the boy ever gave anyone, "I'll come with you! Oh boy will I come with you!" He said crying.
The three of them walked out of the room to the primary handmaiden. "We are going to take Anakin back to the Temple with us. He is going to become a Jedi after all."
The handmaiden smiled that heart melting smile again and said, "I'm so happy to hear that. I'll tell Queen Amidala when she comes back."
As soon as the three Jedi left the Naboo Consulate Wing Obi-Wan turned and looked at Qui-Gon asking with a smile on his face, "Now, with this new Jedi Order. I will be allowed to date right?"
Qui-Gon chuckled and patted his Padawan on the back but didn't answer.
Qui-Gon immediately returned to Dex's Diner only this time with Obi-Wan and Anakin in tow. They entered the diner, didn't see Dexter anywhere so seated themselves in the same booth Master Dooku had been in the day before. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan sat next to each other with Anakin sitting across the table.
A server droid arrived to the table, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan ordered a Coruscant Twister to drink to help calm their nerves over this unthinkable action they were performing. They were emotion tornados inside and that didn't allow them an appetite. Anakin however out of youth and not fully grasping what he was doing ordered a Junior Java Juice to drink and a stack of Ryloth cakes.
After what seemed like an eternity to the two now former Jedi, Master Dooku arrived, walked over to them and sat down next to Anakin before any of them had a chance to rise in proper greeting.
Introductions were made and Dooku said, "Well. Considering everyone is here I assume that you've decided to join my little venture?"
"Yes we have Master. Obi-Wan and I have discussed it and agree with you that the Jedi Order of the Republic has lost its way and is in need restoration." Qui-Gon replied.
Dooku smiled and said, "Great. Now I'll show you the power that Jedi were born to wield."
"I'm sorry I can't stay at eat with you, but I have some pressing business here that I just simply must attend to before we leave. Meet me at Public Docking Bay 153 in, shall we say an hour." Dooku said standing up. As soon as he said that he left.
Dooku went to a high rise housing complex and stood on the balcony with a robed figure.
"Lord Tyranus, I'm not happy about this." The robed figure known as Darth Sidious said.
"Master. I thought having other Jedi with us would prove advantageous down the road. I'll ensure that they don't learn the truth. Right now they believe they are working to establish the true Jedi Order. They will never know of you." Dooku answered.
"What's done is done Lord Tyranus. I'm not happy, but to not allow them after they have been invited would raise too many questions that I'm not ready to have answered yet. Be warned my apprentice, I will not allow this kind of behavior again. These are the Jedi that killed Lord Maul. In the future, speak to me before undertaking any endeavor of this magnitude on your own.
"Yes my Lord." Tyranus/Dooku said.