Chapter 5

"Master, what was your first mission?" Elantra asked as the six Jedi ate evening meal together.

Siri cocked her head slightly, as if lost in memory. "I was eleven years old, I believe. It was a joint mission with Obi-Wan." Arryn looked at her Master, who was watching the story progress with amusement. "Obi-Wan and I, along with our Masters, Qui-Gon Jinn and Adi Gallia were sent to Kegan to test a child, Lana, for Jedi potential. Her parents had contacted the Jedi and we were dispatched to bring her to the Temple, if that was their wish.

"The people of Kegan were isolated from the rest of the galaxy. Our Masters told us to explore their culture, but we were mistaken as native Keganites and they believed us to be truant. The children of Kegan attended the 'Learning Circle,' a facility where they were taught that essentially Kegan was the center of the galaxy and that every other world was savage and dangerous. Being young and impetuous, Obi-Wan and I were uncooperative and got into quite a bit of trouble. And to add to the situation, Obi-Wan and I did not get along with each other. He was always logical and thought clearly, even in times of great peril. I was straightforward and incredibly verbal. I had great difficulty recognizing my weaknesses and I was insistent that everything had to be done my way."

"Your personalities have really changed since you were younger!" said Arryn.

Siri looked at Obi-Wan and grinned. "I don't know about that…" Everyone laughed. Siri continued, "For not cooperating, Obi-Wan and I were sent to the Re-Learning Circle where security was so tight that we weren't even allowed communication with anyone. We wore sensory-deprivation suits that fed us lies about Kegan, the galaxy, and worst of all for me, the Jedi Order. I was anxious to fight it, but I realized that I had to control my impulses. Several days later, Obi-Wan and I escaped. And obviously, we became friends, although it took time and several more joint missions for us to build that trust."

"I always thought that you were friends from the start," said Arryn.

Siri smiled. "In a way, Obi-Wan and I are like you and Elantra. We strongly disagreed on just about everything, but once we were able to see past the tough façades of immaturity, we became friends."

Arryn and Elantra grinned at each other.

"Master Darsha, how do you fit into this picture?" Elantra asked.

Darsha smiled. "I was the quiet one. I hardly interacted with the other students at the Temple because I was timid. Obi-Wan and Siri had friends their friends Bant and Garen Muln, and I had my studies. I engulfed myself in texts, trying to shelter myself from the harsh realities of adolescence.

"When I was eighteen, I was given the honor to take the trials to become a Jedi Knight. To make a long story short, my mission went awry." Darsha grew quiet, lost in a horrible memory. She took a deep breath and continued. "I ended up facing the malignant Sith Lord, Darth Maul, who nearly killed me. I was incredibly lucky to escape with my life." She had difficulty finishing her sentence. "My Master, Anoon Bondara, was not as fortunate."

No one spoke. They all felt deep remorse for Darsha to have to live through such an ordeal at only eighteen years of age. The Padawans all exchanged a glance that simply said we will talk about this later. Anaria looked at Darsha with deep sympathy. "That must have been a terribly frightening experience," she said, breaking the silence.

Darsha gave her apprentice a compassionate look. "Yes, it was. I hope that none of you will have to experience anything like it." Darsha replied, looking dismal.

The three apprentices finished eating and excused themselves.

"Is now a good time to talk about what happened at the evening meal?" asked Elantra, as they walked out.

"Shhh!" exclaimed Anaria and Arryn in unison.

"Not now. Wait until we are in our quarters. Master Darsha doesn't like to talk about what happened and I don't want to make her upset." Anaria added. They arrived at the quarters that Arryn and Anaria were sharing. Two bunks were stacked on top of one another. A table filled the adjoining wall with Anaria's survival kit open and the contents strewn upon it. Arryn turned the room's lone chair backward and sat cross-legged on it. Anaria lay on the bottom bunk and Elantra sat on the floor between them.

"Did you know what had happened to Master Darsha?" asked Arryn after a moment's silence.

Elantra shook his head. Anaria nodded slowly. "She mentioned it once, but today was the first time I have ever really heard her talk about it. She told me that it brings back too many unpleasant memories."

Arryn nodded. "I'm just surprised she told us at all. I'm surprised they all told us those things."

"I know! I have never heard the story about how Master Siri and Obi-Wan met before," added Elantra. "Why do you suppose the first time we get out of the Temple, they open up to us like that?"

Arryn shrugged. "An older master, Thracia Cho Leem, I believe, said that 'getting out of the Temple shows its benefits.' I suppose this is one of those benefits."

"The closer that we get to Bondori, the weirder I feel," said Elantra, changing the subject. "I think it is being so close to the Dark Side."

"And that must be one of the disadvantages to a mission," added Anaria, "because I don't feel normal, either."

"And what, may I ask is normal for you?" retorted Elantra, whose usually sarcastic comments were replaced by a tone suggesting exhaustion. Anaria narrowed her eyes at him.

"But most missions don't have anything to do with the Sith," interrupted Arryn to avoid an oncoming squabble.

"True. I guess it is a disadvantage to this mission," replied Anaria thoughtfully.

Elantra yawned. "I think I am going to head to bed. I'm pretty tired after today and I need energy for tomorrow."

A tiny smile escaped from Arryn's lips. "I think we all do."

"Good night."

"Night."

Arryn walked Elantra to his quarters while Anaria finished unpacking. "You must admit, we've had a pretty interesting day," he said.

She nodded. "Definitely."

Elantra turned to her. "You know something, I'm really glad we are all together for this first mission. There is nothing like sharing it with friends."

Arryn smiled. "I know exactly what you mean." She looked down. "So…I guess I will see you tomorrow."

He nodded back. "Good night, Ary."

"Night, 'Lantra."

Arryn walked slowly back down the hall, lost in thought from the adventurous day.

I hope you don't mind that I took the top bunk." Anaria said, leaning over the railing as Arryn came in.

"Sure. I can't stand the height anyway." Arryn clamped her hand over her mouth, realizing what she had said. Arryn was mortally ashamed of her fear. One of the first lessons she'd learned as a Padawan was to watch what she said in times of immense fatigue. Besides Anaria, no one else knew of her fear of heights and Arryn hoped it would stay that way.

Anaria turned from where she lay on the bed. "You are afraid of heights?"

Arryn turned away from her, red-faced from embarrassment.

"You are the last person I'd expect to have a fear of heights."

"Anaria…"

"That is too funny! I can't wait to-"

"Anaria, please, don't tell anyone about this. Promise!"

"Okay, okay, I promise."

Arryn turned back to Anaria. "Thanks."

Anaria smiled. "That's what friends are for."