Entry III:
Unneeded DistractionsIt didn't take long to accustom myself to the controls of our new ship. I could thank my initiate training for that.
Although the bongo was by no means a technological advancement, its organic body and used guidance systems kept it from being considered primitive. I mentally congratulated the Gungans.
They built beautiful vessels.
A gentle touch on my shoulder alerted me to my Master. I turned around slowly to face him. He smiled encouragingly, and with his eyes pointed upward.
I nodded and informed Jar Jar that it was time to leave.
The annoying creature had caused me to practice finding my center many times. I realized it was the only thing he was good for. But perhaps, if we ran into a group of Togorian Pirates on the way (which I knew was highly unlikely), Jar Jar could defeat them by talking their heads off. After all, if he could drive a Jedi insane with his constant complaints about going through a planet's core, imagine what he could do to a Togorian Pirate by talking about the weather!
My thoughts were unorthodox for a Jedi, but I couldn't help but think them. The brash, 12-year-old Jedi Temple initiate I thought I'd gotten rid of was still there, hiding inside my brain to leap out at all the wrong times.
The first few minutes of our journey played out mercifully, with only a few, spaced complaints. I even discovered the reason for Jar Jar Binks banishment—Clumsiness.
Thank the Force I was a Jedi and not a Gungan. I wouldn't have made it past 11 if that were the case.
You're such a klutz, Obi-Wan. They should have kicked you out of the Temple a long time ago. They should have named you Oafy-Wan Kenobi.
My face contorted slightly at the memory. I buried the emotions and watched Jar Jar scan the land beyond the viewport. I closed my eyes in dismay. Qui-Gon's 'pet' project would lead to a disaster of some sort, they always did. And I could do nothing but stand back and watch.
I never liked seeing my Master go up against the Council. As a young Jedi and Padawan, I never spoke much which meant I couldn't help my mentor. However, it was Qui-Gon's decision to always choose the paths that he did. Therefore, I told myself, gritting my teeth, stay out of it. Stay out of it!
I realized with sudden clarity that I couldn't. "Here, take over," I barked.
Jar Jar visibly flinched.
Twisting around in my seat, I stood in the small sub and knelt before Qui-Gon. "Master," I began. I was sure he knew what I wanted. "Why do you keep dragging these pathetic life-forms along with us when they are of so little use?"
"He seems that way now perhaps, but you must look deeper."
The corners of his mouth were wrinkled slightly. I'm glad he finds this amusing. "I've looked deep enough, and there is nothing to see! He is an unneeded distraction!"
"Maybe for the moment. But that may change with time."
The unifying Force was my specialty, not his! OK, so I still had some kinks to work out of my connection with it, but that wasn't the point!
I opened my mouth to say something more and he waved his hand to stop me.
"Listen to me, my young Padawan. There are secrets in the Force that are not easily discovered."
Like his fascination with pathetic creatures…
"The Force is vast and pervasive, and all living things are a part of it. It is not always apparent what their purpose is, however. Sometimes that purpose must be sensed first in order that it may be revealed later."
I listened to his words, asking my befuddled mind to translate, and shook my head. "Some secrets are best left concealed, Master. Besides, why must you always be the one to do the uncovering?" I asked. "You know how the Council feels about these…detours. Perhaps, just once, the uncovering should be left to someone else."
I knew my words may have sounded harsh, but all I wanted was one mission, alone, with my Master. We could complete them so much easier if it weren't for all the small distractions.
His face took on a sad expression.
I'm still not sure why.
"No, Obi-Wan. Secrets must be exposed when found. Detours must be taken when encountered. And if you are the one who stands at the crossroads or the place of concealment, you must never leave it to another to act in your place."
After a moment longer I sighed. "I respect your judgment in this, Master. But it doesn't stop me from worrying."
He talked almost too quietly for me to hear. "Be patient with me, Obi-Wan. A little faith sometimes goes a long way."
As I stood to return to my chair, I realized that Qui-Gon craved my faith more than anything. I felt the same towards him. Force only knew how much the two of us had been through together. Our dedication and loyalty had been tested more times than I could remember.
I had not been sitting in my chair for more than a few seconds when the entire sub shook. Jar Jar began to panic, flailing his arms about shouting, "Big gooberfish! Hugeo teeth!"
I took command of the ship again; we weren't going to be bested by a large fish at least while I was piloting. I thrust the steering mechanism violently forward, gunning the engine. We were unexpectantly released. I only glanced behind me to be sure that we were really free. It was Qui-Gon who announced what had saved us: 'A bigger fish.'
With the new threat still lingering behind us, I steered the craft into a cave.
"Where wesa goen?" Jar Jar asked.
"Don't worry, the Force will guide us."
Jar Jar's response to the Force, mixed with doubt and rejection, infuriated me. Just because his midichlorian count wasn't high enough to be a Jedi didn't mean he had to—
The ship began to emit a soft beeping sound. The lights dimmed, leaving only the emergency panels lit. We were loosing power.
Jar Jar's pathetic whinnying started up again. He thought we would die in the small sub. Not on my shift, I thought sternly.
While my Master attempted to quiet the Gungan, I flipped a lid up and began to tinker around with a few wires. I had done this plenty of times. Just bypass the power from one thing we didn't need to the one thing we did need. "Power's back!" I announced as the lights inside the sub returned and I jerked my hand back to avoid being shocked.
"Monstairs back!" Jar Jar squealed.
I straightened up quickly and found we were face to face with another one of the aquatic creatures. It was by far one of the most luminescent I'd ever seen…
Beside me, Jar Jar began to act erratically. With each passing second, I found it harder to concentrate. Finally, as I spun the bongo around, Jar Jar relaxed. "You overdid it," I said to Qui-Gon.
I was grateful for the quiet, but there must have been another way besides the Force. Jar Jar had scoffed at the mystical power.
Why couldn't others treat the Force with respect? The Jedi accepted with dignity every religion or belief they came upon. Why did others have to be so different?
It takes all kinds to make up this vast universe that we live in, young Obi-Wan.
Of course, I thought with an inner sigh, it takes all kinds.
The sub trembled momentarily from an unknown impact. I pushed the steering mechanism harder, asking the small ship for one last burst of speed. We emerged at the mouth of the cave only to see our previous savior was waiting for us, its mouth stretched wide. I gave an impudent snort and jerked hard on the controls. We veered past the monster just as the one tracking us flew into the other's mouth. I chanced a look back and saw the smaller creature's tall still flicking about in the mouth of the other.
I fervently hoped it was satisfied.
Jar Jar awoke shortly after our final escape. His incoherent mumbling was ignored by both my Master and I. "Head for that outcropping," Qui-Gon instructed of me, pointing in the direction he wanted he to go.
It seemed Jar Jar Binks was indeed a waste of time—The Force led us to Theed, not the Gungan.
Upon reaching the capital city of Theed, I angled our transport towards the shoreline. As soon as I stepped onto the firm ground, I realized the mission was only just beginning.
A lone battle droid stood facing us, his blaster aimed at our chests. My Master allowed the droid the honor of giving his brief command, "Hold it right there!" before cutting it into two smoldering pieces of metal.
I swore softly, knowing my teacher would not approve.
The Federation had beaten us. The situation had just become more difficult.
Qui-Gon and I crept noiselessly through side streets and alleyways. Jar Jar stormed through them like he was in a parade of some sort, knocking over enough things to make me lose count. I shot an 'I told you so' look at Qui-Gon. He returned the favor with one of his inscrutable stares. I was sure he was thinking somewhere along the lines of, 'So he was right about the mission, but my young Padawan still has much to learn about Jar Jar Binks.'
The ear-shattering crash of another metal waste dispenser knocked over by none other than Jar Jar Binks made me wince. Qui-Gon and I increased our pace to prevent being caught.
We were sprinting through a deserted street when something caught our attention. My Master and I backtracked just enough to see a small assemblage heading our way before climbing a set of stairs to a catwalk over the street we had just been on.
A procession of unlikely sorts was heading our way. Without a word from my Master I bent down to conceal myself and scurried forward. Qui-Gon did the same. Even though he was a tall man, my Master was as agile as they came.
We crept to the middle of the walkway and looked down at the quickly approaching group; the strides of the captives held a purpose, though what they thought it was I had no idea. Surely they did not know we were coming to rescue them. Perhaps, I realized, the monotonous rising and falling of their feet was due to the haggard feeling that they thought they would die much sooner than expected.
It was up to us to make sure they lived to see another day.
A look passed between Qui-Gon and I. No words were spoken; they were not needed. We had found who we were looking for.
My fingers caressed the top of my lightsaber hilt, where they had been resting unconsciously the past few moments. I focused on finding my center then leapt easily off the catwalk, unafraid. No sooner had my feet touched the ground than I was suspended in midair again, using the power from my landing to kick out. My booted feet knocked a droid to the ground.
One down, seven to go.
While Qui-Gon took care of his share, I flung my lightsaber around, decapitating one and cleaving another in half at the waist. Qui-Gon finished the remaining droids with a Force push. With a final spin, I deactivated my weapon.
At my Master's urging, the Queen and her entourage left the streets and filed into a small alleyway. I brought up the rear to assure everyone made it and we were not seen. By the time I joined the others, I learned that either the formalities had already been performed or were entirely skipped. Qui-Gon was busily trying to find a way to contact the Republic. When we discovered, however, that the communications had been blocked, it left us only one option—the option of escape.
Page breaks now inserted where needed. (6/22/05)