Chapter 5. New Friends
When I awoke the next morning, I dressed in the new Jedi robes Obi-Wan had given to me the night before. Along with the long, flowing outer robe with hood, there were also two tunics, long pants and tall boots. Everything was very comfortable. The garments were brown and white, just like most of the other Padawan robes. I had never gone to private school, so I wasn't used to wearing a uniform all the time, but these were actual Jedi robes! I wanted to see what I looked like in a full-length mirror, but there was not one in my bedroom. I would have to settle for the hall bathroom mirror.
I examined myself closely in the mirror, turning left to right. I checked to make sure no one was watching me. I was sure vanity was a trait that was frowned upon. I smiled at my reflection. I looked pretty good, just like a real Jedi!
Obi-Wan and my mom were probably in the Halls of Healing now, so I headed into breakfast alone. My father had told me the night before the location of the nearest dining hall. I wasn't really looking forward to eating in the dining hall after the stories my father had told me, but I was very hungry, and had a long day of training ahead of me. I had to eat well. I hoped Obi-Wan had been exaggerating how bad the food was here.
The dining hall was a few floors below our quarters. When I entered the hall, I saw several long tables with benches. Several droids were moving about the room. I watched them with interest. Were these droid waiters and waitresses, just like in Dex's Diner? Then I looked to the right of the room and saw a line of Jedi waiting to enter a kitchen area. I realized that this was not a sit-down, full-service restaurant, but a cafeteria-style plan. I joined the line and waited my turn to enter the kitchen. While I was waiting, I looked out of the large windows and admired the beauty of the gardens outside.
The kitchen was large and smelled from all the different types of foods being prepared. The smell was not entirely unpleasant. I looked at all of the different bowls of food as I approached the service area. Surely there had to be something decent to eat here.
"What would you like, young one?" a woman server asked me.
"Um …" I looked quickly at all the different dishes.
"Would you like to see today's menu?" the woman asked me.
"Oh, a menu! Yes!" I said. She handed me a menu and I scanned it. I examined the list of breakfast items. Scrambled eggs! They had scrambled eggs here! Something familiar!
"Scrambled eggs and toast, please," I told the woman.
The woman shook her head. "No toast today." She handed me a tray with a full plate. There were the eggs, a side of vegetables I did not recognize (and which smelled funny), and a blue biscuit. I hoped it was good.
"What would you like to drink?" the server asked me.
"Do you have milk?" I asked nervously.
"Of course." She put a glass of blue milk on the tray.
Geez, what was with all the blue food here?
I took my tray and headed out into the dining area. Most of the tables were already full. I saw one table toward the back of the dining hall that didn't look as crowded. I walked toward it.
I scanned the faces of the Jedi as I approached the table. Most of them looked older than me. I noticed an empty seat across from a boy with blue hair. He looked to be around my age, so I sat on the bench across from him.
The boy was bent over a book, reading as he ate. He took a bite of pancake, chewed thoughtfully, and continued to read. He did not lift his eyes from his book when I sat down.
"Hey, are those pancakes?" I asked him in a friendly tone. Maybe I would make a new friend today.
The boy looked up. He had vivid light blue eyes that regarded me with interest.
"Actually, they're called flatcakes," he replied. He took another bite of his flatcakes. "Blueberry flatcakes, my favorite." He dipped his flatcakes in syrup and chewed with enthusiasm. Then he finished them and polished off an orange.
"Are they any good?" I asked him.
"Yes, they're quite good," he answered, drinking his milk.
Cautiously, I took a bite of my scrambled eggs. Not bad, although my mom's eggs were much better. I took a sip of milk. It was good. Sweet and flavorful. Wow, Obi-Wan had really exaggerated the poor quality of the food in the dining halls.
Optimistically, I put a large spoonful of the strange-looking vegetables in my mouth and spit them out. Disgusting.
"Yes, some of the vegetables take some getting used to," the boy commented, amused. "Are you new here?" he asked curiously.
"Yes, I just arrived yesterday. My name is Emma Kenobi," I introduced myself.
The boy's blue eyes widened slightly. "Oh, I heard about your arrival. Hello. My name is Ben Snoke," he said, shaking my hand.
"Ben Snoke?" I repeated, trying to keep a straight face. I did not wish to offend the boy.
"Yes," he said, a bit defensively. "It's a family name."
"O-k ..." I wanted to learn more about this boy with the last name of the Supreme Leader of the First Order.
"Where are you from?" I asked him. "How old are you?"
"I'm from Coruscant," he told me. "I'm ten years old." Ben had a surprisingly deep voice for a boy who was only ten.
"Oh, you're the same age as me," I told him. "How long have you lived here?"
"Since I was a baby," he answered. His blue eyes regarded me inquiringly. "I heard you're from a planet called Earth. Where exactly is that?" he asked inquisitively. "I heard some of them (he gestured toward a group of young Jedi Knights who were sitting a little further down from us on the bench) talking, and they said it's in another galaxy. I didn't know there was another galaxy," he added pensively.
"It's in the Milky Way," I told him.
"Hmm." Ben tilted his head to the side, looking puzzled. "I'll have to ask my Master about this later." He looked at me with clear fascination. "What is it like on Earth? Is it anything like here on Coruscant?"
"Umm … no," I told him. "It's very different. The technology is much more advanced here. But we do have computers, like here." I proceeded to tell him about telephones, TVs, and the Internet. Ben listened with rapt attention, interrupting once or twice to ask more questions.
"What kinds of things do you watch on TV?" he asked me.
I took a tentative bite of my blue biscuit. I tried not to make a face as I chewed and swallowed. It was really dry.
I wasn't quite sure how to answer him. This was getting too close to a forbidden subject. I knew I was not supposed to discuss anything about Star Wars being shows and films on Earth.
"Mostly cartoons and comedies," I told him. Then I quickly changed the subject. "So, who is your Master?"
Ben looked somewhat surprised by my abrupt redirection of the conversation, but he answered readily enough. "Master Windu," he whispered, his tone a mixture of fear and awe.
It seemed that I was not the only one who was intimidated by Mace Windu.
"Good for you, Master Windu! He's really strong! You must be learning a lot," I said, impressed. I didn't know Master Windu had another Padawan besides Depa Billaba.
"I am," Ben said, a small smile playing about his lips. "He's a very good teacher," he added sincerely. Ben must like Master Windu.
"How long have you been his Padawan?" I asked Ben.
"A little over one month," Ben answered.
That explained it. Master Windu must have taken Ben as his Padawan right after he defeated Sidious.
"I guess I'll have to grow a braid like you," I said, noting the short braid right behind Ben's right ear.
"Yes, it is the tradition," Ben agreed.
"Maybe my da-I mean, Master Obi-Wan will tell me I don't have to wear it," I said hopefully. I was conflicted about the Padawan braid. I didn't want to sound vain, but I was proud of my beautiful, shoulder-length chestnut brown hair and didn't want to wear an unfashionable hairstyle. Then again, I was no longer on Earth. I was now living on Coruscant, among the Jedi. Maybe I should just embrace all of the cultural traditions of the Jedi, like the robes. Then I would totally look the part.
Except this wasn't a movie, I reminded myself. I was wearing real Jedi robes, not a costume, and the boy sitting across from me was sporting a real Padawan braid.
I hoped my father would give me some time to decide. If he let me decide.
Well, no matter what, I was proud of my new status as a Padawan. I should probably just show it, and not worry about having a weird hairstyle for the next ten years. Then again, no one else around here probably thought it was weird.
"So now that the Council changed the no attachments rule, are you allowed to see your parents?" I asked Ben interestedly.
"Master Windu told me that the decision is left up to each individual Jedi. Younglings and Padawans have to get permission from their Masters," Ben told me.
"So, what did Master Windu tell you? Have you asked him?"
"He said no. He really does not approve of the new rule. He feels it is too dangerous. He told me when I become a Knight, the decision will be my own."
"He said no!" I was aghast. To me, that seemed really mean and cold. "Are you very upset about it?"
"Not really," Ben said, sounded detached. "I haven't seen my birth family since I was a baby." He shrugged. "The Jedi are my family."
I didn't understand what seemed to be Ben's unfeeling attitude. Then again, I had been born on Earth and grew up there with parents, in a loving family. Ben had been raised in the Jedi Temple. Our whole upbringing had been completely different. It would be wrong to judge him.
"Maybe you'll find them once you become a Knight," I suggested.
Ben shrugged again. "Maybe," he answered, sounding somewhat indifferent.
I decided to steer the conversation to a less awkward topic.
"You must be really smart. Aren't you a little young to be a Padawan?" I asked Ben, not trying to compare our situations.
"Maybe," Ben said modestly. "But Master Skywalker was nine when Master Kenobi began training him as his Padawan. And there are other cases where younglings become Padawans before the age of twelve." He smiled at me. "Like you."
"Well, technically I was never a youngling," I reminded him.
"Right. So it's true? You are the new Padawan of Master Kenobi?"
"Yes." I nodded. "My training begins in …" I glanced at the clock on the wall … "exactly fifteen minutes. I'll have to hurry."
"You'll do very well," Ben said with certainty.
"Thanks," I said. I liked Ben. He was very friendly and nice.
I told him where my room was located in the Padawan dormitory. "Maybe we can hang out sometime," I said, hoping I had found a new friend.
"Hang out?" Ben repeated, obviously not understanding what I meant.
I giggled. "Yeah, it means to spend time with someone."
"Oh. Well, that would be nice, but I don't have a lot of free time," Ben said. He shook his head. "I doubt you'll have much free time either."
"Oh, we'll find time," I said. "We can't train twenty-four hours a day, can we?"
I stood up from the table. We shook hands again. "See you later," I called.
"Bye," Ben said, waving. He smiled and looked back down at his book.
As I drew closer to the doors to the dining hall, a boy with bright red hair approached me.
"Hi," he said. He had green eyes, a smattering of freckles across his nose and checks and an eager smile. He looked like he was a little older than me. "I haven't seen you around here before. Are you, by chance, Emma Kenobi?"
Wow, did everyone around here know about me? I had never pegged the Jedi Order for gossips. Well, I guess it was big news, Obi-Wan having a daughter and all.
"Yes," I answered him, holding out my hand in greeting. "I am Emma Kenobi."
"Palpatine Cohen," the boy introduced himself, shaking my hand vigorously.
"Palpatine?" I exclaimed in shock. "Your parents named you Palpatine? Were they, like, Sith Lords?" I was only half-joking.
Palpatine laughed. He had a funny laugh. It was sort of a cross between a high-pitched yelp and a cackle. It wasn't unpleasant, just kind of strange.
"Like I haven't heard that one before!" he exclaimed, clearly amused. "No, my parents were not Sith Lords. Being from Coruscant, they decided to name me after Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. It was considered an honorable name twelve years ago. No one knew then that he was really a Sith Lord."
"Right." I considered this, then asked him, "Didn't the Jedi Council ask you to change your name?" I wasn't really teasing him.
Palpatine laughed again. "No, they let me keep it. I suppose they want to see that there can be at least one good Palpatine in the galaxy. Although, sometimes Master Windu looks at me like he half expects me to attack him."
"I can't say I blame him," I murmured. I glanced past him. I hadn't seen anyone with him. "Are you here with your Master?" I asked him.
Palpatine flushed. "I don't have a master," he mumbled. "I'm not a Padawan yet," he explained, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Oh." I didn't want him to feel self-conscious about it. "Well, I'm sure you will be soon." I paused. "The reason I asked," I continued, "is because I thought all the younglings have to sit together somewhere else. I didn't know they let younglings in here by themselves."
"Oh, you mean the breakfast rooms." Palpatine nodded. "Usually, I do eat in there with the rest of my clan. But I'm the oldest in my clan, so sometimes I'm allowed to eat in here," he explained, pointing toward the large dining hall we had just exited.
In the hallway, Palpatine fell into step beside me. "I saw you sitting with Ben Snoke," he began conversationally. "He's weak," he added scornfully.
I stopped walking and faced Palpatine. "Weak?" I repeated, very surprised. I had never heard a Jedi described as weak before. It was obvious from his tone that Palpatine did not like Ben Snoke. "Do you know him well?"
"Not really," Palpatine admitted. He shrugged. "That's what I've heard," he said matter-of-factly, waving his hand dismissively, as if that settled the subject.
"Well, I liked him a lot," I told Palpatine, feeling strangely protective of the kind boy with the blue hair. "He was very nice to me. I didn't get the impression that he was weak. And I doubt Master Windu thinks he's weak. After all, he chose Ben to be his apprentice." I hoped Palpatine would drop the subject now.
Palpatine looked as if he wanted to discuss the matter further, but he took the hint and said nothing else about Ben Snoke.
"I have to go to Master Yoda's class now," he said abruptly. Then, obviously wanting to part on friendly terms, he said placatingly, "I've met Master Kenobi twice. He came to speak in some of my classes. He's very wise and powerful. You're very fortunate that he's your Master."
And my father, I thought. Aloud, I said, "I should get going too. I don't want to be late."
"See you around," Palpatine said, waving farewell. He turned and started walking down the hallway. "Hi, Jack, Arianna!" he called to a boy and a girl and hurried to catch up to them.
I pulled the map of the Temple Obi-Wan had given me out of the pocket of my robes and studied it. The training rooms were upstairs.
I walked down the long corridor in the direction of the room where I was meeting Obi-Wan. I noticed Master Billaba waiting outside a room close to the one where I was going.
I stopped walking when I reached her. "Good morning, Master Billaba," I said politely, bowing my head.
Master Billaba inclined her head toward me in acknowledgment. "Good morning, Padawan Kenobi. I trust you are well today."
"Are you waiting for someone?" I asked curiously.
She nodded. "My Padawan." She turned her head at the sound of running feet. I turned my gaze toward the noise and gasped in surprise and delight at what I saw.
It was him! My hero! Hurrying toward us was fourteen-year-old Caleb Dume, the boy who would become Kanan Jarrus. Or would he? I furrowed my brows in concentration. Thankfully, there had been no Order 66. That meant that Caleb would remain at the Jedi Temple with his Master and complete his training. There would be no need for him to go into hiding and change his name. But what about Ezra, Hera and the rest of the Ghost crew? Would he ever meet them? I would have to make sure he met Ezra, at least, even if I had to send him to Lothal myself. But maybe Ezra would be sent to the Jedi Temple to train, and Kanan (or Caleb) would still take him as his apprentice. My head began to swim, the possibilities endless. I would have to think about this later. Right now, I was face-to-face with my favorite Jedi ever. He was standing here in the flesh! I was actually going to talk to him! My heart pounded with excitement.
"There you are, Caleb," Master Billaba said, smiling at him. "I was beginning to wonder if you had forgotten we were meeting here first today."
"Of course I remembered, Master," Caleb said, smiling back at her. "I'm not really late, am I?"
"Just a few minutes. So, what were you doing this time?" Master Billaba tried to look reproachful, but there was a small smile about her lips.
"Oh, I was looking at that holocron you gave me on Kaller," Caleb answered. "I was watching that recording of your class with Master Windu on Form VII. I have some questions-"
"Of course you do," Master Billaba said, nodding and looking greatly amused. Then she shook her head. "I thought I deleted that recording before I gave you my holocron. You shouldn't be asking questions about Form VII, Caleb," she said sternly. She sighed. "We'll see. Maybe I'll answer them this afternoon. This morning, we will spend the majority of our time working on Form III. Your telekinesis is improving quite a bit. Let's see if you can pull my lightsaber away from me."
"I'll do it," Caleb said confidently. Then he finally turned to me. "Who is this?" Caleb inquired, looking at me for the first time.
"Caleb, come meet Padawan Kenobi."
Caleb smiled at me and held out his hand. His teal-blue eyes met my hazel ones. I felt a connection between us. I couldn't describe what it was, I just knew it was there.
"I'm Caleb Dume," he announced. "Master Billaba's Padawan, as you have no doubt figured out by now." He grinned.
I know who you are, I thought. I've read all about you. And I've seen you in TV shows. I know all about what happens to you-or, rather, what was going to happen. I don't know what's going to happen now.
"Emma Kenobi," I told him, trying not to grip his hand too hard. I was actually touching him! He was even cuter in person than as a cartoon.
"Yes, I've met your fath-" Caleb broke off abruptly, as if he wasn't allowed to say the word "father." He glanced sheepishly at Master Billaba, who didn't look the least bit upset. I didn't see what the big deal was. After all, the Council had changed the marriage and family rules, hadn't they? Even if they weren't delighted about it.
"The first time I met Master Kenobi," Caleb continued, "I was still a youngling and attended his class on the Jedi beacon and the recall signal."
"What's the Jedi recall signal?" I asked him.
"The beacon is a tool, located in the Temple's central security station. It can be used to connect with all Jedi anywhere in the galaxy. The recall signal is used to notify all Jedi to return to the Jedi Temple here on Coruscant," Caleb explained.
"As I recall," Master Billaba said pleasantly, "you asked Master Kenobi if the beacon could be used to alert the Jedi to stay away from the Temple."
"Yes, I did," Caleb remembered, smiling humbly. "And Master Kenobi said it could be."
"That's right!" I exclaimed. "You gave him the idea for the message he sent out after Or-" I stopped talking just in time. Oh my, I was really going to have to remember not to say such things out loud.
Both Master Billaba and Caleb looked at me quizzically. I just shrugged and smiled apologetically, as if I had forgotten what I was going to say.
"Anyway," Caleb went on, still looking at me like he had a million questions for me, "you are really privileged to be learning from Master Kenobi. He is very wise and has many accomplishments. And, of course, he was a great general in the Clone Wars. Just like my Master," he added, looking at Master Billaba with great reverence.
Master Billaba smiled fondly at Caleb. Caleb must respect and admire his Master a lot. It looked like there was a close bond between them.
"He will be a great Master for you." Caleb kept the conversation continuing. "You will learn a great deal from him."
"I know," I said. "I'm certain you're right."
"When Master Kenobi returned from … Earth," Caleb went on. My goodness, did this kid ever stop talking? I hadn't known he was so chatty. Not that I minded listening to him. But I was certain I was late for training by now. Caleb must be behind schedule too. I glanced at Master Billaba, who didn't seem in any particular hurry to begin his training day yet.
I didn't want to be rude, but if he didn't stop talking soon, I was going to have to excuse myself. I looked briefly at the door to the training room where Obi-Wan waited for me.
"… I heard him talking to Master Billaba in the Archives about this different galaxy. I asked him to explain more about this strange planet he had gone to and why there was a time difference between different galaxies. He told me his theory about the time divergence in the unconnected galaxies. He promised to tell me more about Earth later on, as he was on his way to a meeting with Master Yoda. I also did some research on my own about how many different galaxies there are. Chief Librarian Nu helped me explore the Archives, but we could find no information about the galaxy where Earth is located."
Caleb sure was perceptive and analytical. He must have been a great help to Master Billaba during the Clone Wars.
"These are all excellent questions," Master Billaba interrupted him. "Questions that will have to be answered another time. Right now, Padawan Kenobi needs to get to her training, and we need to begin today's lessons, too." She shot me a quick glance. If she weren't a Jedi, I swear she would have winked at me.
"Right," Caleb reluctantly agreed. I had a feeling he could have stood there all day, just asking me questions about Earth.
"Best wishes as you begin your training today, Emma," Caleb said, shaking my hand again. "Take care. I'm sure I'll see you soon."
I hope so, I thought as I watched them disappear into their training room. Then I walked three doors down to my training room.
With great anticipation, hoping the Force would indeed be with me, I opened the door.
