Chapter 4: Nightmare...
The day ended with a trip to the Galactic Museum. Obi-Wan was surprised once more as his master let him wander as he would. Where Qui-Gon was now, he had no idea. He only knew that they were to meet by the entrance before dusk.
The magnitude of the Museum never failed to amaze Obi-Wan. He likened it to the Senate, where the main audience chamber held countless of pods for each world's representatives. In the halls of the Galactic Museum, the member systems - and even non-member systems - had a different kind of representation. Native flora and fauna, artistic achievements, and the evolution of civilizations from ages past filled each nook and cranny in every cavernous room of the building. There were even rooms dedicated to groups of people, such as the Jedi Order.
All in all, it was an astounding place to come. It would take several lifetimes to see it all, Obi-Wan mused as he exited the Art galleries and crossed into the first chamber of the Jedi Section. He exchanged smiles with a Senior Padawan that he knew only in passing. She was quite pretty, now that Obi-Wan took a good look at her. Her gently sculpted face gave her a childish look for a human, giving her an air of innocence. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail at the top of her head, the ends cascading over her back and shoulders in a scarlet river.
Her name's Shaylynn, if I remember correctly. I should sit with her at breakfast tomorrow or something, Obi-Wan thought.
Shaylynn shepherded a flock of younger initiates to one of the exhibits. Obi-Wan watched as data-pads were pulled out of travelling packs followed by intent listening as the Padawan began her lesson. After a few very long moments of watching, he moved on to an exhibit deeper into the room.
"The Jedi have the largest library and repository of knowledge, which includes their own history, and yet they still feel the need to break their isolation and come here, of all places, to learn about themselves. How arrogant." The female's voice was tinged with sarcasm and something akin to disgust.
Obi-Wan turned towards the speaker, only to be assailed by piercing teal eyes. The woman was Twi'lek with a pale green skin pigmentation that complimented her eyes to great effect. Her both tunic and trousers were white, the former short enough to show just a hint of her midriff. Black boots and vest, and a leather belt with a couple of pouches - dyed a light pink colour - completed the outfit. Her lekku, with a white band of cloth wrapped around the base, were draped artfully around her shoulders in ordinary fashion.
"The Jedi come to learn about how the galaxy views them, ma'am," Obi-Wan answered, trying not to let her tone irritate him. "It's always enlightening, as well as useful, to know how someone else perceives you."
"Like the way you look at me and see a potential slave?" She raised a shapely brow.
"What? No!" Obi-Wan answered, frowning. "Why would I see you as a potential slave?"
"Don't try and pass off that 'Noble Jedi' thing on me. Everyone knows that Twi'leks are typecast as slave-bait and that the Jedi are not immune to such visions."
Obi-Wan sputtered and then drew himself up. "Madam, I do not know what you have experienced to make you think such things. I would like you to know that one of my friends is not only a Jedi, but a Twi'lek as well."
Just as the mysterious woman opened her mouth for another retort, Obi-Wan's comlink beeped. He muttered an "excuse me" and flicked it on.
"Obi-Wan? Is everything okay? We were supposed to meet twenty minutes ago." Relief coursed through the Padawan as he heard his master's voice.
"Everything's fine, Master. I'm on my way."
He turned back to the girl so he could excuse himself, but she was gone.
It was a puzzled Padawan that rejoined Qui-Gon at the Museum's entrance five minutes later. At His Master's enquiring look Obi-Wan shook his head.
"Dinner first. Talk later."
Qui-Gon nodded and led the way to a nearby restaurant. Obi-Wan ordered a large meal consisting of large amounts of meat and sugar; two large, well-done nerf-steaks slathered in a succulent and very salty gravy with a baked potato on the side was followed by a deep bowl of lime flavoured iced milk that was topped with berry sauce, chunks of chocolate, whipped cream and a sugared candy on top.
Qui-Gon held his tongue and took his time with his roasted fowl and salad, watching as his Padawan ploughed through his meal. When Obi-Wan began on dessert, Qui-Gon pushed his own plate away and sat back gazing at the youth thoughtfully.
"Obi-Wan, I've been your master long enough to know that something is bothering you. What is it?"
"What makes you think something's bothering me?" the youth asked around a mouthful of iced milk.
"The nerf-steaks and the iced milk. You binge on those when..."
"That silly girl!" Obi-Wan said, cutting off his master. "Some silly Twi'lek with a lightsabre up her..."
"Obi-Wan!" Qui-Gon admonished. "Don't let your anger over-take you. Now, take a deep breath and then calmly tell me what happened."
With a sour look, the younger man complied and spilled the story. When he was done, he attacked his dessert with renewed vigour.
Stepping into the cool evening air was the final balm for Obi-Wan's emotions. Much calmer now, he mulled over Qui-Gon's advice: don't let it bother you, Padawan. Many people have negative ideas regarding the Jedi. The girl must have had a bad experience dealing with the Order.
It made sense, and it would have been Obi-Wan's natural conclusion, had he not been so riled. Now he had to figure out why his composure had been ruffled by this strange woman.
Qui-Gon had raised a hand to flag an air taxi when Obi-Wan felt the flicker in the Force. He turned suddenly, trying to pinpoint the direction. Before Qui-Gon could ask him what was wrong, Obi-Wan felt a stronger rift and took off in the direction from which it came, Qui-Gon at his heels.
Skidding to a stop at the end of the level, Obi-Wan looked around frantically; there were no alleys in the corner of the block, and the only place to go was up to the next level. That means losing precious time backtracking to the lifts, Obi-Wan thought. He looked up, caught sight of a low flying speeder and poised himself to jump. Just as Qui-Gon rounded the corner, Obi-Wan drew on the Force and leapt up, landing smoothly on the roof of the vehicle. His next perch flew by almost immediately and he barely hesitated before jumping.
Up he went, hopping from speeder to cloud car before gracefully landing on the walkway of the level he wanted. He pushed aside Qui-Gon's annoyance at such a manoeuvre and continued on. Hefting his lightsabre in his hand, Obi-Wan slid to a stop before the alleyway and took in the situation instantly; five large figures, two human and three Gamorrean, had cornered...no!
Obi-Wan groaned inwardly. The strange Twi'lek girl was surrounded, obviously afraid and trying to escape, but unable to do so. Obi-Wan forgot his anger at their earlier confrontation and with barely a thought, jumped to her rescue.
With a twist, he landed in front of the girl. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" He said politely, 'sabre held at the ready.
"Move along, Jedi. This girl is ours," one Human growled.
Must be the leader. He addressed his next remark to the same man, "The last time I checked, she was a free citizen of the Republic."
The leader puffed up angrily and yelled, "Move along Jedi!"
Reaching once more for the Force, Obi-Wan stretched out a hand and pulled the blaster from the man's holster. Igniting his lightsabre, he melted the weapon into slag. "She doesn't belong to you, so unless you provide me with a warrant for her capture, you are the ones who should be moving along."
So saying, Obi-Wan grabbed the Twi'lek around the waist and jumped out of the circle. He placed her in front of him and prodded her to run. He turned as the first blaster bolts flew past his head. Obi-Wan managed to block the bolts as he ran, keeping an eye on the girl. It was then he noticed Qui-Gon's presence beside him, deflecting the shots that were missed.
Together, they reached relative safety. The Twi'lek, panting for breath from running, glared at Obi-Wan and punched him in the arm. "Fool! I had it under control!"
Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes. "Like hell you did. They were going to kidnap you."
"I had it under control. I was just about to bust myself free when you showed up."
"You were scared silly!"
Qui-Gon calmly cleared his throat and the bickering stopped as the two youngsters turned. "That's better. What's done is done. No need to argue about it."
Obi-Wan and the Twi'lek exchanged glances that were by no means friendly, but not hostile, either.
"I am Qui-Gon Jinn. This is my Apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi."
The Twi'lek nodded and sighed. "I'm Kaight."
"Pleasure to meet you, Kaight," Qui-Gon said with a warm smile. "We were just on our way to the Temple. I contacted Master Windu and he's sending us a ride. Is there any place we can drop you off?"
Kaight nodded.
"Excellent. Let us go and meet up with our escort. I for one have had enough excitement for one day."
