ChapterTen

By the time Obi-Wan had maneuvered his hoverchair outside of his home the following evening, the last two colors streaming across the horizon were already visible. Without hesitation, he concentrated on his Master's words and allowed his mind to slip into a trance.

When he re-opened his eyes, the first thing he noticed was that he was standing and he had the feeling back in all his extremities. The next thing he noticed was the comforting length of the padawan braid that lay against his chest.

He glanced up immediately to see Jar-Jar Binks disappear through a doorway and then glanced back down a narrow corridor. The ship he discovered he was now on shuddered from an obvious outside attack and Obi-Wan remembered where and at what point he had arrived.

He smiled as he also realized that for once, he had traveled back to exactly the point in time he had wished to. Now, if only his other plans would work out as well.

In the cockpit of the Nubian ship were Qui-Gon, Captain Panaka, and Ric Olie, Queen Amidala's personal pilot. Ahead of them in space was the line of the Trade Federation blockade, and they were relentlessly firing upon the smaller vessel.

After hearing the announcement that the hyperdrive was leaking, Obi-Wan took his place at the navigational computer and began scanning for nearby systems where they could make an emergency landing But this time around, he would not be suggesting Tatooine.

"Here Master." He began as he pointed to the screen. "Anoat. It's virtually uninhabited."

"You mean, uninhabitable, padawan. It's infected by toxic waste. Find something else."

"How about Garqi? It's not too heavily populated. And it's purple." Obi-Wan noted with a smile.

Qui-Gon glared at him. "It also lacks basic technology."

"So?"

It took a moment for the Jedi Master to find the words to respond to his apprentice's uncharacteristic comment. "What if we need to purchase parts to fix the ship?"

"I'm sure I can fix whatever the trouble is, Master." Obi-Wan added with another grin.

The younger padawan felt a heavy release of breath against his neck as Qui-Gon leaned over him. "I'm sure you can, Obi-Wan." The words were low and measured. "But perhaps we should look for a planet that is a little more civilized."

Obi-Wan perused the data further, choosing to bring up the statistics of yet another remote planet in the Hutt System.

"Then how about Korriban, Master?"

"Absolutely not." His Master answered sharply.

"Why not?" Obi-Wan replied innocently.

Qui-Gon looked at his padawan as if he had grown two heads.

"Because it is the origin of the Sith training academy and is infected with the Dark Side! You know this!"

"Then how about Lok?"

"Not Lok."

"What's wrong with Lok?" Obi-Wan continued to argue.

"I'm not going to answer that question, Obi-Wan. You know why not."

"Just because it's considered a pirate world and the temperatures average over 120 degrees, give me another good reason."

"I will not continue this discussion, padawan."

"Excuse me, but are you two going to be making up your minds any time soon?" It was Captain Panaka who voiced the question from the co-pilot's seat as he sat staring at the two arguing Jedi.

"Yes, we are." Qui-Gon replied with a smirk before turning back toward his apprentice and leaning down to his ear. "Get up." The older man hissed.

"But Master…" Obi-Wan whined.

"Now padawan!" His tone was much more stern and it immediately put the younger Jedi in motion.

Obi-Wan grimaced as his Master took his previous seat and in no time had found a planet he deemed as suitable. A system outside of the Trade Federation's influence, controlled by the Hutts themselves.

And much to Captain Panaka's dismay, not to mention Obi-Wan's the matter was soon settled.

They would be landing on Tatooine.

It was a good thing he had a contingency plan this time around, Obi-Wan thought as the sand-colored planet came into view.

From the looks of things, he was going to be needing it.