Chapter 7

The history lesson continued for a day, as did a brief overview of some of the species I would encounter sooner or later. I traveled through hyperspace for two days when I felt the sudden need to leave it. As I emerged from hyperspace, the compass feeling was back and stronger than before. I gently guided the ship until I felt the mental compass needle point straight ahead.

Ahead of me was a planet listed in the database as Dagobah. Sensor scans didn't show any traces of cities or technology but massive lifeform readings though. The entry on the database was short and succinct. Habitable due to it's mostly swamp environment with a base temperature that never dipped below 85° F and a base humidity of 80 percentor so.

Since the mental compass feeling pointed directly at this planet, I decided to make a landing and see if I could find the source. As I eased back on my throttle I shunted the excess energy to the repulsorlift coils to ready the ship for a landing. As I entered the prevailing cloud cover, all of my instrumentality went blank or inactive. Fighting back a momentary surge of panic, I eased back my engine power to zero and redirected the power to my repulsorlifts.

I felt the engines cut back to standby as the repulsors came online. Then I felt a short drop in altitude followed by a sharp jolt. I felt slightly chagrinned when I realized I had activated my repulsorlifts before being deep enough into the gravity well but when none of my system diagnostic lights went red from the jolt, I felt better almost immediately. Coasting along on antigravity, I looked for a solid spot to land. After finding it, I activated the landing cycle and felt the servomechanisms of the landing gear activate and thump lightly into place as the landing gear locked.

Gently setting the ship down on the ground, I was even more relieved to feel only a slight shifting as the landing gear settled into the topsoil. I waited a few minutes as Warbler performed an atmosphere check to ensure its compatibility with my biochemistry. While sitting there, I took my helmet and gloves off and manually shut all ships systems back to standby.

Warbler pronounced the atmosphere breathable so I flipped the switch that opened the canopy.

Chapter 8

The first smells to hit me could only have come from a swamp. Warm, humid air. The fetid smell of decay and barely moving water mixed with the sound of strange birds and animals. I climbed down the ladder and set foot on the first alien planet I had ever been to. I did a walk around of the ship and was pleased to see that all three landing gear were on solid ground. I was able to range out to about a twelve foot radius before a light fog rolled in.

The trees all around me ranged in size from shrub to monolithic. There was a kind of all pervading gray half-light that provided enough illumination to see by but there appeared to be no breaks in the cloud cover. Returning to the ship, I opened the cargo hatch and pulled out my survival gear and set up a small camp.

About an hour later, my flight suit was stored away but I kept the weapon that came with it around my waist. I had a tent erected and a small fire going. It was getting dark so I had the fire more for light than heat. Over the comlink, Warbler still in his socket on the ship said: "My sensors indicate no lifeforms larger than you in the vicinity. Or larger than me for that matter."

I said: "Come on Warbler, the only thing big enough to eat you probably lives underwater and would more than likely spit you out as unpalatable." Warbler shot back: "And that's supposed to make me feel better!" I laughed a little as Warbler blew an electronic raspberry at me.

Warbler and I started talking then. I thought it odd that he should be programmed for conversation so he clarified: "Actually, as an agri-droid, conversation is not usually expected or required. I don't know for how long I've been able to express opinions for myself. The standard practice for droids in general is to give them memory wipes every other year or so." I remarked: "I'm not one who should be calling the kettle black, but that seems almost . . . barbaric. Kind of like dying every two years then?"

Warbler said: "A very accurate description Master Ronin. It is very much like that. It's done to prevent a personality from forming. My hardwired memories, the ones that are not harmed by the memory wipe tell me that I have been functional for about thirty standard years and have had eight memory wipes. The last one was approximately fifteen standard years ago. I have not had another one since. I don't know why that is but I don't mind it a bit."

I said: "Don't worry Warbler, I like you just the way you are and I have no intention of having you mind wiped." "Thank you Master Ronin." Warbler said. I answered; "You can stop the 'Master' if you want. Just call me Ronin from now on. Okay?" Warbler said: "As you wish Mas---Ronin. What of you sir?"

I told him of my past life. I told him what my birth name had been but I emphasized that that person was essentially dead. I explained the need to separate myself from who I used to be. I'm not sure if he understood or not but he didn't press me afterwards. As I finished my narrative, a stern voice spoke up from behind me and said: "What do you seek here youngling?"

I spun around and drew the pistol that came with the flight suit. No more than three feet away from me was a small, green-skinned and obviously aged creature. He wore nothing on his feet that I could see and his robes were faded and dingy with more than a few patches in clear evidence. He pointed ears, practically elfin, stuck out from his head. His eyes though were the most startling. I could see great power in his eyes, but also great sadness. At my height of 5'10", the creature was no taller than my waist. Whoever or whatever he was, he showed no sign of fear at having a hand weapon pointed at him. One thing I was certain of though was that he was radiating enough power to make my hair stand on end.

Putting my pistol back in its holster, I said: "I've been called many things in my life but this is the first time anyone has ever called me a 'youngling'. What do you mean by that?" The being walked with the aid of a cane perfectly scaled to him and walked into the brighter light cast by my fire. He stared into the flames for a moment, sighed and said: "See I do that you are an adult by your standards yet a youngling you remain to me. Your potential, you know not. That is why a youngling you still are."

I digested his opinion and said: "Your reasoning sounds fair though I'm not sure why. To answer your question, I don't know what I seek. If you understand the concept of a hunch, then that is what directed me to this place." The being stood there a moment longer then said: "Already you listen. The Force speaks to you it does. Unexpected this is. A wrinkle in the pattern do you represent. Trouble me this does." He cocked his head to one side as if thinking or listening to something that I did not hear.

The being looked into the flames again and said: "I know what brings you here. With me, you will go. Much to discuss we have."