Chapter 10. Catman

One week later, Obi-Wan informed me that he was going on a mission.

I walked into our training room and found him studying a stack of papers.

"I just returned from a briefing in the communication center with Master Yoda and several members of the Council," Obi-Wan told me. "They are sending me to the Forest Moon of Endor."

I nodded and waited for him to continue.

"I am going to Endor to finalize the Republic's peace treaty with the King of the Cats," Obi-Wan proceeded. "I would like you to come with me."

At last! We were going on a mission together!

"What do you know about Endor?" Obi-Wan asked me.

"Basically, that it is the home of millions of Ewoks and there was a huge battle there that resulted in the Empire's defeat," I replied. "There were no cats in Return of the Jedi. I wasn't aware they lived on Endor."

"Yes, the planet is home to many different species," Obi-Wan enlightened me.

"I'm glad you're taking me with you, but do you really think I'm ready?" I asked him. "It's not too soon for me to go on a mission?"

"On this mission? Yes, you are ready." Obi-Wan nodded. "It is a very straightforward assignment. There will be no danger. It is a good opportunity for you to see diplomacy in action. Besides, this is how you will learn. It will be a different kind of training for you."

"Ok." I trusted his judgment implicitly. If he didn't think I was too young to accompany him, then I must be ready. I had been longing to join him in participating in a mission. I wanted to explore other parts of the galaxy besides just the Jedi Temple. This way, I would begin to make use of the knowledge I had gained so far.

"Will we see any Ewoks?" I wondered.

"Possibly, but probably not. We are not going to that side of the planet, so it's doubtful," Obi-Wan replied.

"So, when do we leave?" I asked eagerly.

"In one hour. There are some more details I have to go over before we depart. And I need to go to the Archives and gather additional information about the Cats from Chief Librarian Nu. You'll need to prepare as well. We are going to the Outer Rim, which is located far from Coruscant. It will take us two days to reach Endor."

"Two days? Really?" I would have to say goodbye to my mother and pack a few things.

"Oh, there's one more thing I wanted to discuss with you," Obi-Wan said as I prepared to leave for my dormitory.

"What is it?" I asked.

"After the briefing, Master Yoda suggested that we stop at the Jedi Temple on Lothal on our return trip. I do not believe that this Temple is currently occupied. In fact, I was not even aware that there was a Jedi Temple on Lothal."

"Lothal? Really?" I was excited about this. Maybe I would meet Ezra Bridger! Although he was only a baby now, I reminded myself. Still…

"Is Endor near Lothal?"

"Not directly. They are both located in the Outer Rim, but they are in different sectors."

"Isn't it dangerous in the Outer Rim?" I asked.

"Well, there tends to be more anarchy and chaos there than in the Core Worlds, but where we are going is peaceful. The Republic is seeking to increase trade with Endor. Remember, the Republic does not usually get involved in the ways of this region. The Republic's laws do not apply out there."

Returning to the topic of Lothal, Obi-Wan next said, "I must admit, I'm not sure why Master Yoda wants us to go there."

"Didn't Master Yoda give you a reason?" I asked.

Obi-Wan shook his head. "You know Master Yoda. His meaning isn't always crystal-clear. The only thing he said was that it was important for you to see it."

"Me?" I echoed. Why would Master Yoda want me to go to Lothal? The only things I knew about Lothal were from Rebels. When I thought of Lothal, I thought of Ezra Bridger and the World Between Worlds. Did they have any significance in all of this?

"I'm not sure if we need to go there right now," Obi-Wan said. I was surprised by this statement. I thought Obi-Wan always obeyed Yoda without question. Well, except for that time in The Phantom Menace when he told Yoda he would train Anakin without the approval of the Council. His time on Earth must have changed him in some respects.

"Well, if Master Yoda wants us to go there, it must be important," I said. "In Rebels, Jedi traveled there to see if the Padawans were ready to become Jedi. But I'm already training. They also went there to test their relationship. But we don't have to do that."

"We'll discuss it with him when we return," Obi-Wan decided. "We can always go there on another trip. I sense there is more to this request than Master Yoda has revealed. I'll have to check the Archives for records on the Lothal Temple and learn more about it."

I wondered if the Temple on Lothal was already hidden, or if this was something that had happened after Order 66. I wondered how Yoda knew about it.

"Am I going to get a lightsaber for this trip?" I asked. "I mean, a real one?"

Obi-Wan shook his head. "You are not ready for one yet."

"When will I get a real lightsaber?" I asked, hoping he would give me a definite date.

"When you're ready," he answered philosophically. "After you have studied how to build your own lightsaber and I take you to Ilum."

"When do you think that will be?" I persisted.

Obi-Wan gave me one of his looks. "We will know," was all he answered.

I knew I wouldn't get any more out of him than that, so I dropped the subject and prepared to leave for our trip to Endor. It appeared that I was not yet skilled enough to deserve a real lightsaber, so I would have to be content to continue practicing with my training lightsaber, until I was ready to go to Ilum. There was no rush, I reminded myself. After all, even Anakin hadn't constructed his first lightsaber until he was thirteen.

During our flight to Endor, Obi-Wan told me more about the Cats and their history with the Republic.

"Prior to the Clone Wars, the Jedi earned the Cats' trust when they protected them from an invading army of Duloks. During the Clone Wars, even though Endor was not directly involved, the Cats pledged their support to the Republic. This was right after the mission to Endor, when Master Secura discovered a Separatist base on the planet. The Cats attacked and destroyed a different Separatist station and reported back to the Jedi secret intelligence detailing Separatist plans to enslave the Cats, the Ewoks, and the other species on the planet. The Republic vowed to protect Endor and the creatures who live there. Luckily, once the Separatists realized the Jedi knew about their scheme, they decided not to proceed with it."

I was glad we were going there in peacetime. Obi-Wan told me Endor was a rather quiet planet, and he expected our trip to be uneventful. I hoped he was right.

"The last King of the Cats was a warmonger who waged war against the Ewoks and wanted the Cats to rule the entire planet. And he was not friendly to the Republic, mostly because they were known to take advantage of Endor's resources," Obi-Wan admitted with a frown.

"This new King is very different. He was elected right before the onset of the Clone Wars. He is peaceful and intelligent, as well as diplomatic."

"Kind of like you," I said with a smile.

"It appears they resemble cats on Earth," Obi-Wan said. He showed me a picture of the King of the Cats from one of his briefing papers.

"Really? Look at him! He does look just like a cat on Earth! He's big, but their features are exactly the same!"

"The resemblance is remarkable," Obi-Wan agreed.

As we approached Endor, I looked out the ship's window. Tall mountains and acre upon acre of heavy forest extended over the entire moon. We landed in an area of scattered trees.

I stepped out of the ship onto tall grass. "This way," Obi-Wan instructed me, looking at a holomap. "We need to head north."

I followed him through the grass, which was dotted with wildflowers. It was a pleasant, sunny day. After a mile, we entered an area of thick woods. They were taller than any trees I had ever seen. I hoped we would not run into any hostile Duloks.

As we walked through the forest, Obi-Wan cautioned me. "Be careful, Emma. These are wild cats. Don't try to pet them."

"Wild cats?" I repeated, somewhat nervously. "They won't try to bite me, will they?"

"No, as long as you don't present a danger to them."

I heard a rustling in a tree above us. I looked up. There was a quick flash of a shape, and then something jumped into the tree next to it. Startled, I moved back, then realized it was a cat. It was sitting in the tree, staring at us.

The cat grabbed a vine tied to a branch and swung back to the first tree. He swung back and forth for a moment, just like Tarzan. The next time he swung, he let go of the vine, executed a perfect backflip, and landed on the ground in front of us.

"Whoa," I said. I didn't know cats could flip. He flipped better than I did!

The cat gazed up at me with intelligent green eyes. He was a medium-sized black and white cat. He had a friendly expression on his face and purred softly.

"He's beautiful," I said admiringly, longing to pet his fur, which looked really soft. But I remembered Obi-Wan's warning and did not attempt to touch the cat.

"We're here to finalize the peace treaty, not to get you a pet."

The thought had not occurred to me, but now that he mentioned it, the idea did hold some appeal for me.

"Can I? If I see a really cute little kitten, can I adopt it?" I asked pleadingly.

Obi-Wan shook his head. "No, Emma," he said firmly. "It is forbidden. You know the rule about possessions."

Yes, I knew Jedi were not supposed to have any material possessions. Well, there were a few exceptions, of course. I had my robes, training lightsaber, and books, although technically they were Obi-Wan's books. Maybe one day I would have a starfighter like him. I also had the journal and pencils my mom had given me. Other than that, I was fed, clothed, and housed by the Jedi Order, and didn't require much else. It was a communal way of life. I didn't even have any toys anymore. The basic essentials, nothing extravagant.

"Didn't Master Yoda have a pet?" I asked, trying to remember. "A horse or something?"

"A kybuck," Obi-Wan corrected me.

Oh right, the creature from Kashyyk. Some princess had given it to Yoda as a gift. It went into battle with him during the Clone Wars.

"Strictly speaking, I suppose it was a pet. But Master Yoda thought of it as more of a friend than a pet. He didn't consider himself its owner. He kept it outside in the garden."

"I could do the same thing," I said, trying to sound convincing. "I could adopt a cat as a friend and companion and keep it outside."

"You are not Master Yoda," Obi-Wan reminded me, with a small smile.

Well, when he put it that way …

A trumpet blared loudly, and three large cats, wearing guard uniforms and carrying swords, ran up to us.

"Master Jedi," one said, speaking slowly but clearly in Galactic Basic. "The King is expecting you. We will take you to him."

"Thank you very much," Obi-Wan said cordially, following them.

I walked beside him, acting nonchalant, as if I encountered talking and flipping cats every single day.

The black and white cat trotted after us, keeping a few paces behind.

We walked deeper into the forest. In addition to the enormous trees, the forest was strewn with several different types of plants. I spotted green flora all over the forest. Moss, ferns, and shrubs all grew here. It became hot and I removed my cloak, carrying it over my arm. We entered a small settlement. I saw what must have been hundreds of cats, all going about their daily lives. Some male cats were practicing with small swords; others leapt from tree to tree. There were treehouses in several of the trees, with cats jumping in and out of them. I spotted mother cats taking care of their children. In addition to the treehouses, there were small wood houses on the forest floor. Women cats cooked over small campfires in front of the houses. The Cats seemed to have created a thriving community in their forest home.

Several cats who were gathered in small groups looked at us as we walked by. They didn't look threatening, but they weren't overly friendly either.

After several minutes, we entered a clearing. The King of the Cats sat in a large chair in front of a huge tree. He was very large, the largest cat I had ever seen. He wore blue and green robes and a crown on his head. His fur was gray, and his kind and perceptive golden-colored eyes studied Obi-Wan and me attentively.

The King of the Cats was surrounded by a sort of court, attending to his every need. Women cats brushed his fur and smoothed out his robes. Other cats sat next to him, holding papers and looking very official. They must be his advisors.

"I am Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, and this is my apprentice, Emma," Obi-Wan said formally. "We are most pleased to meet you." He looked at me.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," I said to the King, bowing low.

The King nodded regally. "You are most welcome." He spoke in perfect Basic. I marveled at his clear, concise speech. I had wondered why we hadn't brought a translator with us, like C-3PO. Now I saw that it wasn't necessary.

The black and white cat appeared then, sitting back on its haunches. It sat a few yards away from me.

"What's your name?" I whispered to the cat.

He just looked at me and meowed.

"Would you like some refreshment?" the King offered, motioning to a woman cat standing next to him. She immediately came forward with a tray of assorted fruit and glasses of water. There were lots of berries on the tray, including some I had never seen before.

I drank liberally from the glass of water. I had become hot during our walk through the forest, and I was very thirsty. I tasted the fruit. There were pears, bananas, oranges, and what the king had pronounced to be grava berries and Cambylictus berries. These were berries indigenous to Endor. I liked the grava berries the best. They were sweet with a floral accent. The flavor was like a combination of mango and strawberry.

"I have the treaty right here," Obi-Wan said, removing an official-looking document from his folder. "Supreme Chancellor Organa is most pleased that your country will be aligned with the Republic. I understand that there are a few points you would like clarified?"

"Yes," the King replied. He motioned to a large dwelling in the heart of the clearing. It was decorated with blue and green banners. These must be the King's official colors. "We can discuss it in there." He turned to me. "Perhaps your apprentice would like to remain here and become better acquainted with my junior guard? They seem to have developed a liking for each other."

"Is that ok?" I asked Obi-Wan indecisively. Or did he want me to come with him and see diplomacy in action?

"That's fine, Emma." Obi-Wan gave his approval. "This shouldn't take too long."

Pleased, I turned to the cat. He looked fixedly at my face. "So, you're a junior guard, huh?" The cat nodded. "I'm training to be a Jedi. I'm a junior Jedi, I guess. When I pass the Jedi Trials, I'll become a Jedi Knight. And then I'll be fully part of the Jedi Order. Look." I showed him my lightsaber. "This is my weapon. It's very special." The cat held up a guard stick. He listened to everything I said. It seemed like he understood me. He made different sounds after I spoke, as if he was answering me. After hearing both the King and the guard, I expected this cat to speak as well. I wondered why he couldn't talk.

A short while later, the King and Obi-Wan emerged from the cabin. Obi-Wan was smiling. The King of the Cats must have signed the peace treaty.

"Alright, Emma," Obi-Wan said. "Everything is in order. We will be leaving shortly."

Before we left, I wanted to know one thing. "Can't all the Cats talk?" I asked the King.

The King shook his head. "No. Only the King, his advisors, and his guards can talk."

"If he's a guard, why can't he talk?" I was confused. Had the cat been pretending that he couldn't talk?

"He is not an official guard yet," the King replied. "He is a guard-in-training. He can understand you perfectly, but he has not yet learned to talk in human language."

I had enjoyed spending time with the cat. On impulse, I turned to the King. "Can I adopt him?" I begged the King. "Please?"

"What?" Obi-Wan appeared startled, looking just as he had in Attack of the Clones when Anakin told Padmé they would discover the identity of her attacker.

"No," the King said firmly. "All of the Cats must stay in the forest. His place is here. After all, he still has much to learn. This cat has been difficult. He has been fighting with the other cats ever since the Duloks killed his parents four years ago. He was in deep mourning and has only recently recovered and become more agreeable. I finally taught him some manners." The King looked reproachfully at the black and white cat, who hung his head as if shamed.

I wished Obi-Wan had already taught me the Jedi mind trick. I would have used it on the King of the Cats so that he would have allowed me to keep the cat. Although I didn't believe it would have worked on him. The King was anything but weak-minded.

I felt deep sympathy for this poor cat who had lost his parents. I tentatively reached out my hand. The cat licked my hand.

"I think he likes me." I spoke to Obi-Wan, who I had caught off guard before and now regarded me warily.

The cat moved closer to my side. "Look, he wants to come with us." I petted him gently and had a sudden sense that this cat would one day hold a lightsaber.

"Is he Force-sensitive?" I asked Obi-Wan, who studied him closely for a moment.

"This cat does not have Force powers," Obi-Wan finally declared. "But he does seem quite taken with you. You must have formed a strong connection with him."

Maybe he would allow it now …

"I'll take really good care of him," I assured the King and my father, trying again. "I'll be very responsible."

"You're not supposed to have possessions independent of the Order," Obi-Wan said, but I could tell by the look on his face that he was softening.

"Take him," the King of the Cats decreed. "It appears you are meant to be together."

"Really?" I hoped I didn't sound the way I felt, ecstatic.

"He may live with you," the King added graciously.

Now I had to convince my father. "The Council changed the attachment rule. Can't I keep him?" I honestly couldn't see why anyone would think having a cat would somehow be a distraction or lead me to the dark side. I was still going to be totally focused on my training. Hopefully Obi-Wan would agree with me that it was a good decision.

I looked at Obi-Wan, and he slowly nodded. I imagined he was trying to decide what he was going to say to the Council about this. I was so happy that the cat would come with me. Then I looked anxiously at the cat.

"Is that ok with you?" I asked him. I wouldn't take him away from the forest unless he really wanted to go. "Do you want to go with me?"

Gradually, the cat nodded his consent.

Another cat approached. This one looked exactly like the black and white cat, only a little bigger. My new cat meowed and licked the other cat's face.

"Your brother will remain in the forest," the King commanded. Both cats crouched down low to the ground. "I will decide when you can return for a visit." The two cats looked at each other and made several high-pitched sounds. It was as if they were speaking to each other in cat language. Then they both meowed pitifully and covered their heads with their paws.

I didn't want to separate this cat from his brother. However, I didn't dare ask Obi-Wan if I could have two cats.

"What's his name?" I asked the King.

"His parents named him Riley, although he has not responded to that name ever since their death. It is as if he no longer has a name."

Curious. Maybe I shouldn't name the cat. That was what Master Yoda had done with his kybuck. He never named it. That would strengthen my argument to the Council about the cat being more of a friend than a pet.

I abandoned that thought when we reached the ship. Tenderly, I petted the cat, hoping he wasn't too upset about leaving his brother behind. "You'll have to think of a good name for him," Obi-Wan said as we departed Endor.

I looked at the cat, purring contentedly in my lap. This cat, who could swing and flip and seemed so in tune with my feelings, came across as a person in a lot of ways.

"Catman," I decided. "I'm going to call him Catman."

Catman looked up at me and meowed softly, as if he liked the sound of his new name.