EXCERPTS FROM THE AUDIO JOURNAL OF QUI-GON JINN, JEDI KNIGHT

I spent the whole night in meditation. My knees and back are protesting from the pain, but I am bearing it gratefully for the Force gave me the answers I was looking for.

I won't report Anakin's transgression to the Council.

I won't have him expelled or punished because he broke the no-attachment rule for, if it were the case, then I would have to suffer his same fate.

Since Anakin has become my Padawan, I have been teaching him with words how a Jedi should behave, but oftentimes my actions have not been in line with what I have been preaching.

I love my son.

I love my daughter-in-law and the boy growing inside her.

I love my Padawan.

How can I claim Anakin must not love when I love so much myself?

I can't.

Yes, Anakin was wrong in marrying Senator Amidala, but he is not wrong in loving her.

As soon as Obi-Wan and Anakin call, I will let them know my decision, in the hope this might help them clear the air between them, so they can concentrate only on the war.

Coruscant, Jedi Temple, 13:9:25

Obi-Wan called a few moments ago to inform me they have arrived safely to Jabiim.

The situation on the planet is very serious, even more than expected, but he is confident about the outcome—or so he said me, because I am not totally convinced he was telling the truth. There was something in the way he kept his eyes lowered…I just hope to have been mistaken.

After Obi-Wan completed his brief report, I told him about the decision I reached days ago regarding Anakin, and I was not surprised to see him relax.

"I am glad you came to this decision, Father. You know I am angry with Anakin because he broke the rules and your trust, but you are also aware I don't approve the Jedi's prohibitions regarding emotional attachment. I think it is unnatural to oblige people not to love."

"Yes, I know," I smiled. "You have told me many times."

"And I will continue to repeat it to anyone willing to listen until my dying day." Obi-Wan grinned briefly, then added seriously. "I am also glad you are not reporting Anakin because I think it would be dangerous to cast him away. An expulsion would destroy him and he would be an easy prey for the Dark Lords. Anakin maybe the Chosen One, but it is not clear how he is supposed to "bring balance to the Force"…"

I nodded in silence, pondering his concerns. Obi-Wan has talked as the Grey Warrior, as the Chosen One's guardian he does not know to be.

I confess I did not think too much about the danger Anakin might turn to be, for I see him only like the boy I have raised since childhood, but Obi-Wan's vision is much clearer than mine.

I only hope my son and my Padawan will be able to reconcile for it is evident how important their partnership is.

Coruscant, Jedi Temple, 13:10:15

I am worried about Obi-Wan and Anakin. They seemed exhausted in their last holocom from Jabiim, and it was more than six days ago.

Things are not going well on Jabiim. The Republican Army has been fighting for more that two weeks without taking a decisive advantage over the Jabiimi factions that wants to join the Confederacy.

The troops have been spending time and energies and losing men and equipments in conquering rebels' outposts that prove to be ultimately useless.

Also the planet is plagued by a harsh climate. Obi-Wan reported it has never stopped raining since they arrived, and that the storms make landing reinforcements almost impossible.

My son confessed to me that while he puts a confident front for the troops and the Jabiimi soldiers that are helping him, he is becoming very concerned about the situation. Their enemies, while apparently not yet supported by the CIS droid army, are very resourceful and dangerous. He feels like they are led in some kind of exhausting bantha-chase that bring them nowhere.

Our communication ended with Obi-Wan asking me to look after Lianne and his son and there was something very unsettling in his words.

This is the first time my son explicitly asks me to take care of his wife, and it is also the first time he refers to his son in this way…It is…It is like he feels he won't be home for a long while…or worse.

His parting words have tormented me for the past days and this is why I am here, sitting in from of my holocom, staring at it, and almost willing it to beep with an incoming transmission.

Coruscant, Jedi Temple, 13:10:16

I …don't even know from where I am finding the strength …or the will…to record this entry…

I feel broken… empty…old…alone…

Obi-Wan… my son…I am not even able to say it…

My son is dead.

I can't…say…more…

Coruscant, Jedi Temple, 13:10:17

Obi-Wan died two days ago on Jabiim.

He- He died in an explosion as he was trying to evacuate some of his men from a fallen walker.

Mace gave me the news… but I already knew, for I sensed the moment…our bond was broken.

My son is dead…I can barely gasp what it means.

It means I will no longer see him smirk at me…that I will never feel his arms hugging me…that I will never meditate or spar with him…that we will no longer tour the markets together, searching for specimen to add to his collection of rocks…I will no longer hear his low, cultured voice tease me…

Other Jedi have stopped by…they have told me to rejoice because my son is now one with the Force…but I can't.

I can't…

My grief and sense of loss are crushing me…A father should never survive his children…it is unnatural…unfair…Obi-Wan should be here…watching as his wife becomes rounder with their child as her pregnancy progresses…

Instead he is dead on a planet so far away…leaving behind not even a body to burn on a pyre…as he deserves…deserved.

Oh, my son, my Obi-Wan…why did it have to be you? I know you died doing you duty…but I found no comfort in it…What will I do without you? How…will I be able to complete Anakin's training without your counsel?

Obi-Wan… Obi-Wan…why I cannot even sense you in the Force?

Where… is your …spirit… gone?

I can't… add more…my tears…are …suffocating my …voice…

Obi-Wan…