While the rest of Jabba's palace echoed with partying and all forms of debauchery. Obi-Wan found himself meditating alone. it appeared to be that Byathla was the only one that was aware of his identity and frankly Kenobi wished to keep it that way.
The last couple of weeks still weighed heavily on his mind. He and Jabba's fat dancer were starting to spend more and more time together and he'd be a liar if he didn't admit they were feeling closer to each other. Part of him felt guilty. As much as Obi-Wan wanted to accept that he was no longer a jedi, a part of him felt like he was betraying what he once stood for.
There was also the weighing fact that Anakin was still out there somewhere, no doubt rescued by his master. How long would Kenobi be able to hide. As much as he was certain the empire wouldn't expand into the outer realm, he couldn't be sure Anakin would be so reserved.
"If only Yoda or Qui-Gon were here."
"Obi-Wan..."
Kenobi jumped at the sudden familiar voice. Was he going crazy?
"Obi-Wan..."
Obi-Wan stood up with lightsaber in hand but staggered upon seeing a flashing light. Tears came to his eyes as the image of Qui-Gon formed.
"You were never good at keeping your focus on the moment." Qui-Gon said with a chuckle.
Kenobi began to physically weep as he reached out and hugged his former master. "Master Yoda said you learned to transverse from the Netherworld to the physical world, but I didn't know whether to believe him...I..."
Qui-Gon laughed and soon returned the embrace. "it's good to see you too my old padawan."
Obi-Wan wiped his tears and began to frown. "I have failed you master. You asked me to protect and train Anakin, but I couldn't do it. Now the Jedi are gone. I'm not worthy to wield your lightsaber."
Qui-Gon placed a hand on his former Padawan. "Obi-Wan you were never a failure. You are and always have been my best student I will sing your praises through eternity. There is no one better to wield my Lightsaber. Do not let yourself fall into despair Hope burns bright.
Hope burns bright?" Obi-Wan asked in disbelief. The Sith have won, The Jedi are dead, and Anakin has been consumed by the Dark Side. I..."
"Not so," Qui-Gon interrupted. "Though a Sith Anakin may be, he walks the path between light and dark. It's a hard and narrow road but it contains much knowledge and wisdom."
Obi-Wan lifted an eyebrow. "I don't understand. I thought the Dark side and the Light side were conflicting opposites."
"Can a house divided against itself stand? Can a man survive on just food or water alone?"
"No on both accounts." Obi-Wan said.
"As such can we truly begin to understand the nature of the force if we don't learn both sides. There is only one Living Force. We use the terms light and dark because binary natures are simple and easy for us to digest. But the force is not that simple. Light and Dark is not synonymous with Good and Evil
"So, the dark side can be used for good..."
"...Just like the light can be used for evil. You've seen that firsthand. How many atrocities did the jedi do in the name of the Republic during the clone wars?"
Obi-Wan winced. "Not that it matters now, Both the Jedi and the Republic are gone. What are the Jedi if not guardians of peace and champions for democracy?"
Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow. "Do you really think that It was the Republic that kept the order alive. Obi-Wan the Jedi existed long before there even was a republic."
"That's assuming that Anakin doesn't try to kill me."
"Your still his brother to him Obi-Wan. Reconciliation may not be as impossible as you think."
Obi-Wan quickly got up. "Then I must go to him."
"Patience Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon commanded. "A proper opportunity will present itself. For now, you must wait. For now, I must go."
Qui-Gon turned and began to fade before dimming back for a brief moment. "Oh, Satine told me to tell you that she it's ok to move on. She just hopes this Byathla isn't more woman than you can handle.
Obi-Wan smiled ands wiped another tear from his eye. "Tell her my thoughts will be with her, always."
Qui-Gon smiled and faded back into the light. "Remember, trust in the force."
Obi-Wan got up from his meditation and joined the rest of the palace's entourage. Byathla was sitting in a corner chugging a jug of bantha milk. Dengar sat next to her nursing a jawa juice. Obi-Wan tapped the fat dancer's shoulder causing her to smile.
"Hey you, Dengar and I wondered if you were ever going to get out of the room."
"I made contact with an old friend." He then kissed Byathla. "Did I miss anything?"
"Just some hot Twi'lek dancers." Dengar said. "They can perform for me anytime."
Obi-Wan ordered a blue milk when a figure sitting isolated in the palace caught his eye. By the looks of him he was a mandolorian and he was staring right at obi-wan.
"Hey Dengar, who's that?"
Dengar smirked. "Dude that's Boba Fett. He's only been active for a little over a year, but he's been making a splash in the bounty hunter scene. Worked with him once. the Kid ran a syndicate for a while but it disbanded not too long after the war ended.
Obi-Wan's eyes widened. He and Boba technically had a history together both as Obi-Wan and as Rako.
"He looks like a spitting image of his old man."
As Obi-Wan took another swig of blue milk, the doors of the palace opened with a violent groan. two Weequay, both of whom looked as if they were half eaten, bum rushed the court, speaking gibberish and gasping for air.
"What is the meaning of this insolence?!" Jabba shouted in huttese.
"...Mabaya." one of them gasped before collapsing dead.
The whole palace erupted in a whisper.
"cohai!" Jabba shouted to the living Weequay.
"Mabaya attacked one of our spice mining facilities south of Anchorhead. We were the only ones to escape. Everyone else was...devoured my lord."
Jabba howled in rage declaring a decree.
Who's Mabaya Obi asked.
"Not a who," Dengar said. "a what."
"Mabaya is a Greater Krayt Dragon that's been rampaging through Tatooine and has been a thorn in Jabba's side for years. It's costed him millions if not billions of credits. He's sent everything after it. Game hunters, bounty hunters, small armies, none of them have come back."
"The mighty Jabba has declared he's is giving 10% of his value to anyone who can hunt down the Greater Krayt Dragon known as Mabaya. This will be givin to you in the form of 1.5 million peggats which the Mighty Jabba shall hand to you personally upon proof of its death."
"1.5 million peggats? That's 60 billion credits. You could buy an army with that kind of money."
Obi-Wan looked to his friend. So I take it you'll go with me to hunt this thing down and split the take?"
"Heck no! No amount of money in the world is going to get me to take on a Greater Krayt dragon. A regular one is bad enough."
"Come on. If Jabba is willing to give a huge chunk of his wealth to ensure this thing dies, it means this thing is a danger to anyone on the planet. Somebody has got to kill this thing."
Obi-Wan shot up from his seat. "I will hunt this dragon."
Everyone was silent.
"I can't do it alone though. I need at least one other person to help me."
Everyone was silent until Boba Fett stood up. "I'll go. I always wanted to hunt down a krayt dragon anyway."
as the crowd began to cheer. Jabba spoke a small blessing.
"The Mighty Jabba wishes you both luck on your hunt. He also hopes thatg if you die, you die honorably."
Byathla looked at him with dread in her eyes. "Please be careful, I don't want to lose you."
"I'll come out the victor on this, I promise."
Byathla gave him a deep kiss. "May the Force be with you."
