Alex Rider: Operation Far Far Away
Chapter 3: Bonding

Alex's mind was still reeling from all the information he had been given in the Jedi Council meeting. Not only was he on another planet, but in another galaxy far from his home in England! He supposedly had a connection to something called the Force (which he still didn't believe was true) and now he was to be trained by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to learn how to use it. It was all a bit too much.

During the tour Obi-Wan had been giving, he'd shown Alex the room where he would be sleeping in the Padawan chambers (Alex had learned that the word was what a Jedi Apprentice was called) and now he was pointing out different areas of the Jedi Temple to Alex as they walked.

Alex decided to voice his concerns. "So how do you even know I'm, what was it again, Force-sensitive?" Alex asked with a raised eyebrow as he and Obi-Wan walked down a long hallway.

Obi-Wan turned his head to look at him. "Because Jedi can sense when others are Force-sensitive. Even I can feel it."

Alex huffed. "How come I can't tell that you're Force-sensitive then? Or that any of the others were? And how can I believe that I'm Force-sensitive? I mean, I've never seen any sort of evidence that would prove that I can use it."

Obi-Wan smiled as they walked. He seemed amused by Alex's questions. "You have not been trained to understand the shift in the Force when you meet one that can manipulate it, such as a Jedi. With time, you will gain it and it will become something of a second nature. As for how you can know you're Force-sensitive, let me ask you a few questions. Have you ever been an inch from death, but miraculously survived? Have you ever made a jump you should have never been able to make? Have you ever managed to shove a person back when you didn't think you'd be able to?"

Alex pondered the questions. Yes, of course he had. On every mission he had been on, there had been at least one death defying stunt or remarkable thing that allowed him to live. But he had always chalked that up to coincidence, luck, or his own skills. None of those situations could have had anything to do with the mythical, invisible Force… could they?

Obi-Wan nodded. "I can tell from your expression that you have had experiences where the impossible came true. I believe that, even on your planet, the Force is present, if at a minuscule level. Without knowing it, you have used it to help you or have called out to it to assist you in a difficult situation." Obi-Wan drew to a stop and turned fully to look at him. "However, if that is true, I'm somewhat concerned. How would one as young as yourself have need of the Force's help when there is no clear danger to you? The young ones in our galaxy are in danger, of course, but that is because of the Clone Wars."

Alex winced. They were treading into his past; something he didn't like to bring up. "I'd… prefer not to talk about it, Obi-Wan." Alex had asked the man if he could just call him by his first name after they had left the Jedi Council room. The man had relented after Alex had explained he was uncomfortable using the term "Master," with the condition that he call him by the title when with other Jedi from the Council.

Obi-Wan sighed. "Unfortunately, you have no choice, young one. If we are to grow stronger and better understand one another, I must know your past." He put a reassuring hand on Alex's shoulder. "Understand that I will hold no hard feelings about anything you may have done. Jedi dwell on the here and now, not the past or the future."

Alex bit his lip and glanced at his new Master with a look of unease. "Do you know of a place we can talk privately?"

Obi-Wan nodded with a smile as he removed his hand. "I have just the place," he answered, gesturing for Alex to follow.

They walked a bit farther until Obi-Wan came to a door which slid open automatically. To Alex's amazement, they were back in the garden room Mace had found him in.

Obi-Wan led Alex to a small remote area with benches and was surrounded by trees that looked like willows. Obi-Wan passed through the low hanging leaves and sat down on one of the benches, then indicated for Alex to join him. "I come here to think and meditate when I'm feeling overwhelmed. It's not very well-known by the other Jedi, so it's a wonderful place to get some peace and quiet." Obi-Wan turned to Alex, who was now fidgeting with his hands. "Now, tell me about your past, Padawan," he said softly.

Alex didn't want to at first. Every spy instinct was screaming at him to keep quiet about his missions. But another part of him- a part that was warmer and more reassuring- was telling him that it was okay to talk to Obi-Wan. That it was okay to trust him with his secrets. So, with a deep shuddering breath, Alex started telling Obi-Wan of himself and what he had done on Earth for almost two years.

Once he started, Alex couldn't seem to stop. It was as if his mouth and mind were on autopilot. He was telling Obi-Wan of what MI6, the CIA, and a host of others had done to make him work for them. About all of his missions and the foes he had gone up against. And, worst of all, how he had felt during those missions. How scared he had been during the time with the Man-Of-War jellyfish. How ashamed he felt after trying to kill Mrs. Jones for SCORPIA. How broken he had felt when he'd thought he had lost Jack. And how empty of emotion he had felt shooting Julius Grief in cold blood.

By the time Alex was done talking, the sun outside had already begun to set, indicating they had been at this for some time. Alex sat staring at his hands in his lap, his mind aching from reliving the horrors of his past missions. However, his heart was surprisingly light. Almost as if telling someone everything that had happened to him and how he had felt during those times had lifted a weight from his shoulders.

He didn't dare look at Obi-Wan, though. After everything he had done, Obi-Wan would probably tell him that he could never be a Jedi. "You probably think that I'm a monster or something from all the death I've caused, huh?" Alex muttered with a hollow chuckle.

To his surprise, however, Obi-Wan's reply was very soft and sympathetic sounding. "I don't think you are a monster at all, Alex. I merely think you are a young boy who has had his innocent outlook on life ripped from him by the cruel reality of the world. And you are not alone. As I said, so many Padawans are learning this harsh lesson from the war. I just find it saddening that you had to see so much of the evil in the world in such a short amount of time. As for the deaths, from how I understand it, most were in self-defense or accidental. "

Alex looked at him with surprise. "But what about Julius. I killed him-"

"To save others." Obi-Wan interrupted. Before Alex could argue, Obi-Wan held up a hand. "Let me ask you this: Had you not killed him when you did, do you think he would have killed you and then just gone on to kill others?"

Alex didn't even need to think as he simply shrugged in reply. "I would expect so. He was a mad psychopath. An utter nutcase to the nth degree."

Obi-Wan nodded. "Then I would say that you were justified in killing him as well. All Jedi have done a few things that they are not proud of." At this, Obi-Wan looked uncomfortable before recovering quickly. "However, we take our mistakes and learn from them. In other words, Padawan, do not dwell on the past. Allow what you have learned and experienced to guide you and make you a better person. Focus on that and you will have learned an important step in becoming a Jedi. There's an old Jedi saying that states just that: 'Mistakes make a wiser person, which makes a stronger Jedi.'"

Alex was feeling much better now after hearing that Obi-Wan didn't blame him for his actions of his past. It was surprising how talking to someone about his missions had affected him. He still felt guilt and anger from the missions, but they seemed to flow around his mind, rather than take root in it. He gazed at Obi-Wan with a small smile on his face. "Thank you for understanding."

Obi-Wan smiled back and gave a chuckle. "Well, I wouldn't be a very good Jedi Master if I didn't, now would I?"

Alex then felt a mischievous smile playing across his lips. "Say, you said that all Jedi have done things they aren't proud of. What about you? Made any boo-boos in your past?"

Obi-Wan stood up suddenly. "I do believe it is time to resume our tour. I wish for you to meet some people before it is time to retire."

Alex was slightly annoyed now. "Oh, come on! I told you about my past and mistakes! Why can't you tell me about yours?" he asked as he got to his feet.

Obi-Wan looked sharply at Alex and he felt any other objections die on his tongue. "Padawan! I do believe it may be time for your first real Jedi lesson. When I tell you something, as your Master I expect you to not argue." His expression then fell into a neutral one and his voice softened a bit. "Please understand that I have a reason for saying it and to not push the issue. Do I make myself clear?"

Alex crossed his arms over his chest and sighed. "Yes, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan nodded. "Good. I promise I will tell you more of myself in time. Now, let us continue our little tour."

As they walked, Alex pondered on what Obi-Wan had meant. The man seemed like such a good, upstanding Jedi. What had he done that would be something a Jedi wouldn't be proud of? Alex decided to store that question away for now. He understood that Obi-Wan hadn't wanted to talk about his past yet. Seeing as how Alex had told Obi-Wan of his, it seemed a little unfair, but he also sort of understood. Obi-Wan needed time to adjust to Alex and test the waters. Even more, Alex had the sneaking suspicion that Obi-Wan was worried that his new student wouldn't respect him after he told him what he had done. Alex decided that for now, he would just enjoy Obi-Wan's company. Strangely, the man reminded him of Ian. Very kind and willing to teach him a lot.

"Alex?" Obi-Wan's voice brought him out of his thoughts. "I'd like you to meet some people."

Alex glanced up. He hadn't even noticed that they had stopped near a group of three. Alex almost gasped. These people looked just like those in armor who had been with Samuel. The only exception was that their armor wasn't bright white, but dull and tarnished with orange sections on some parts. Each had something different with their armor as well. One had single orange lines going down both of their arms. Another had a small orange splatter mark on the top of their helmet. And the last had an orange visor on their own helmet.

"Alex Rider, meet Commander Cody of the 212th Battalion and two of his men, Switcher and Slip." Obi-Wan was smiling as he gestured to the person with the orange visor, then the one with the stripes, and lastly, the one with the splatter. "Men, meet my new Padawan, Alex Rider."

The three men removed their helmets, and this time Alex did gasp. All three men looked almost identical! The only difference was their hair. Cody had black hair that was close cropped, while Switcher had brown hair that was shaved so close to his head it was almost a buzz cut. Slip also had his hair shaved close, but it was dyed red.

"Nice to meet ya." Cody smiled as he stuck out his hand. The other men echoed his statement and extended their own. Alex was amazed; they even sounded the same. Each had an Australian-like accent.1

"So… are you lot triplets or something?" Alex asked as he shook their hands.

It was Slip who answered, laughing, "You could call us that, I suppose."

Switcher chuckled as well. "So, how'd you wind up with a Padawan, General? You never told us you were looking at teachin' a shiny."

Obi-Wan now had a twinkle in his eye. "It's a rather long story. Believe me, it was a surprise for me too."

Alex cocked his head to one side. "Shiny?"

Cody smiled as Slip punched Switcher on the arm. "Means newbie. Someone who hasn't seen combat yet. It's normally reserved for new soldiers. I hate to break it to you, kid, but you look as shiny as they come."

Alex grinned and the unspoken challenge in the last sentence brought a twinkle to his brown eyes. "I may be shiny on the outside, but I'm definitely rusty on the inside."

Cody smile broadened. He then barked out a laugh as Switcher and Slip chuckled. "I'm sure you're more than tough enough. You'd have to be to have General Kenobi as your Master." Cody gave a salute to Obi-Wan, then Alex. Switcher and Slip followed suit. "Well, sir, we have to get back to the barracks and our duties. See you soon, General. You too, Commander." Cody and the other two put their helmets back on and walked down the hall.

Alex turned to Obi-Wan and pointed after them. "You gonna explain that?"

Obi-Wan smiled. "In good time, young one."

Alex sighed "Okay. Who were they calling 'Commander,' though?"

"That would be you, Padawan."

Alex looked thunderstruck as they started to walk down the hallway again. "Me!? But they said I didn't look like I'd seen combat yet. Why on Earth," The word sent a twinge through Alex's heart, "would they call me 'Commander?'"

Obi-Wan chuckled. "Because as far as the ranking orders go in the Republic Army, you out rank them as a Jedi, and are therefore given the rank automatically. Cody will say that experience outranks everything, as most of the others would say. They live nearby in the barracks just in case they're needed at a moment's notice. You'll be seeing more of them, I assure you."

"Good." Alex gave a grin. "I liked them. They reminded me of some fellows from home." Alex looked down the hallway as they walked. "So where are we going now?"

Obi-Wan turned to answer. "To meet some more friends of mine. I think you'll like them too. Though I will warn you, Mace will not be happy."

Alex raised an eyebrow, eyes twinkling once again with mischief. "Are these the people that Samuel said would probably make the Force implode if we met?"

Obi-Wan sighed. "Master Windu. And yes, they are."

Alex grinned even wider as they walked. "Wonderful! I can't wait to meet them."

1 I've looked up what accent the clones have. People can't seem to decide if it's an Australian or New Zealand accent. I do not want to insult anyone, but I cannot differentiate the two when I listen to the clones. I'm going with I hear, which is an Australian accent. I thoroughly apologize if you guys hear it differently or if I insult anyone.