SouL PurPosE
Chapter Six
"Are you certain you wish to go out there alone?"
The pilot from Alderaan was a considerate, distinguished-looking older gentleman with kind blue eyes. He had said what he did because he genuinely cared, as a father's father would. How could we explain that Dorme wasn't exactly alone, although she might as well be? Without the ability to interact with anything, if something happened to her, there was actually nothing I could do to help.
"I'll be fine. Thanks for your concern though," the young woman stated while patting her sporting blaster. Which was really my sporting blaster. Or…used to be.
"One of your souvenirs?" I asked. Her reply was a mere smirk, which told me she knew exactly what I was talking about. "You know, one of these days, I'm going to ask for that back. I'm not sure how, but someday."
A nod of her head indicated she understood as the pilot set the ship down in a crowded spaceport outside a rather large and bustling city. I had never visited Obi-Wan's homeworld before. From the upper atmosphere, I had noticed mountainous ranges, grassy fields, wooded areas, a couple of large cities, as well as a variety of smaller villages. What stood out most of all, however, were the turbines. There were thousands of them.
"Wind farms," Dorme stated the obvious.
"Ah, yes. Power is one of their main exports. They say the wind never stops blowing in Sendo City."
"By the looks of it, the entire planet is covered with them," my friend added.
"That's right," Burgin agreed. "Quite the eyesore if you ask me."
Obi-Wan Kenobi was going to be a farmer? I wasn't sure how I felt about that and I tried to picture him maintaining the engines, tools in hand while he strained and worked in the hot sun, wiping the sweat from his brow before deciding to remove his tunic, revealing the rippling muscles of his chest…
Shiraya's word! Where had that thought come from?
"Is that the main city?" Dorme asked, pointing out the front portal.
"Sendo City," the pilot confirmed. "Although it used to be the capital, it's now just the oldest. Idoma has recently claimed the title and is the more populous, but only by a slight margin."
"Why didn't we start there?" Dorme asked although I wished she hadn't. Most likely, Breha had told the pilot where to take us with the caveat of 'no questions asked.' She obviously trusted this pilot and we should too.
"Stop questioning everything," I strongly suggested. "And just get off the ship."
She didn't roll her eyes, although she probably wished to.
As soon as we landed, I followed Dorme out of the ship and we headed toward Sendo City. Indeed, the consumption of enormous stores of energy was evident everywhere we looked. Over each street were power lines crisscrossing in an unattractive and likely dangerous manner. Also, hanging above every shop and on each building were brightly lit marquees, as well as street lamps, traffic lights, and advertisements. These things might appear more pleasant to look at during the nighttime, but in the daylight, they were rather hideous.
"Where to?" Dorme asked me as we walked paved streets that appeared as if they'd recently been washed.
"Look for a hall of records. We need to find some sort of citizenship archive," I suggested.
On the next street over, lit by rather annoying flashing lights was a datascreen revealing a map of the city. After Dorme activated a few of the available functions, we discovered we were still some distance from the government buildings and had no choice but walk.
Those living here were mostly human, although I did see a few Muun. Most everyone we had come across appeared to be from a working class and were trying to get somewhere in a hurry.
Needless to say, I wasn't all that impressed. I guess knowing Obi-Wan for who he was; someone with deep spiritual connections to the Force; a man who always appeared so calm, laid-back and sure of himself; I didn't expect him to come from a place of such chaotic industry.
"Here," Dorme told me as she turned down one street marked with a neon sign. "The Community Center is this way. Let's try there."
As soon as we had turned down that particular street, everything suddenly changed. There was a beautiful park just ahead with lush, flowering trees of white blossoms, bushes, multicolor blooms, benches, and fountains. It was filled with children playing and couples holding hands. This was more like it! Maybe it was the romantic in me, but this area suited me far better.
We ascended the steps of the center just beyond the public park and entered to see a bank of datascreens attended by a silver protocol droid.
"How may I be of assistance?" the thing offered kindly when we drew near.
Dorme explained our need and the droid brought up a screen of names; many of them dating back hundreds of years.
"If you need anything further, please do not hesitate to ask," it told us before walking away.
"Here," Dorme announced quickly. If she could find Obi-Wan's family in all that? She had my undying devotion!
"This is apparently the Kenobi line, but look at them all!"
Screen after screen was revealed that went far past the pre-sith era before the Jedi were even founded; from the days when Stewjon was considered a colony of Eridu. There were thousands of families recorded and they had apparently resided all over the planet.
This was like trying to find a porg in a herd of banthas! I needed to think! Had Obi-Wan ever mentioned anyone from his family? A single name would suffice. I had to think!
Dorme announced my exact thoughts. "Think hard, Mi'Lady," she suggested. "You two had your moments together. Remember back on Naboo after Master Jinn's funeral? When you two spent so much time together? Didn't he say anything then?"
"That was thirteen years ago! How am I supposed to….wait." There was suddenly a whisper and it wasn't Dorme talking. In fact, I hadn't even recognized the voice. At least not at first, although the more I thought about it, the more it sounded like Qui-Gon Jinn. How was that possible? "Did you hear that?"
"I hear lots of things," Dorme said rather sarcastically.
"No, not that. This was quiet, like it came from inside me."
"Then, of course, I didn't hear it!" Talk about cranky! Perhaps she needed more sleep.
"Do you think it's the Force again?"
How was I supposed to know that? Unless it was Qui-Gon reaching out to me through the Force. How could things get any more strange? Now, I was hearing voices?
"Well? What did it say?"
"Xeridun," I answered, although I wasn't one-hundred perfect positive.
"That's a strange name. Kenobi of the Xeridun line?" Dorme replied quizzically.
"Xeridun, one of the large cities of the Northern Hemisphere. It has a population of 12,000 and is the center of trade in the north."
Both of us turned to stare at the protocol droid who had returned and was standing directly behind us.
"Do all protocol droids always interrupt conversations to share information without being asked?" Dorme wondered aloud.
My own protocol droid, C3P0, came to mind. "Yes, I believe they do," I answered with complete confidence.
Besides that, we were thankful for the information and Dorme told the droid as much, who seemed satisfied and retreated back to his station. At least now we had a location to search for. Dorme entered the name, Xeridun, having attempted several spellings before finding the correct one.
"It's in the mountains," she informed me, although I could still read. "I'm not dressed for the mountains."
"Then you'll have to buy some things."
"I spent all my credits on that transport to Alderaan!"
I gazed at my companion. Her clothing was a simple tunic with nothing valuable attached to it. It covered a pair of equally dark leggings, and beneath that were a pair of plain boots. In fact, the only thing she had of any value was the sporting pistol she had borrowed from my collection.
"Sell the blaster."
"But.." Dorme began to argue, holding the item in her hand with admiration. Indeed, it was a fine weapon, with a rare Calamarian pearl handle and quadranium barrel. "I like this gun!"
"Which would you prefer? Hanging onto my pistol or suffering from frostbite?"
My question was logical, but still, she hesitated.
"Fine," she finally agreed, slamming the thing back into the holster. "But if I get killed because I can't defend myself, the first thing I'm going to do is find you!"
"Let's locate a dealer willing to bargain," I suggested with a snicker. "And then get you some warm clothes."
Dorme continued to grumble as we left the center. "I hate snow. It's cold and wet, and it makes everything too slippery."
I'd never noticed before. My ex-husband and my best friend sure did have a lot in common!