The Padawan Paradox/Chapter Three
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Outer Rim/Cadivine Sector/Kenobi, ObiWan
440530/17:04/011
Greetings Padme,
I will admit I found your reply rather unusual; possibly even a little threatening. I'm only allowed one opportunity to choose someone to exchange messages with though, and like it or not, you're stuck with me. My first thought was to forget this whole thing, but I really need someone to talk to.
I'm aware of the regulations and rules concerning the sharing of mission details, but the mission is over, and it was truly a disaster. I don't think there could be any repercussions from talking about it now.
While I was on Melida/Daan, I befriended a group of young rebels who called themselves The Young. They were fighting what I sensed was a worthwhile battle; one which they were never going to win. I'll try to keep my story short, but let me say, my Master and I did not agree with my decision to support them. In fact, he felt our mission was complete, and that it was best if we leave. I couldn't abandon my friends in their time of need, so I chose to stay and help them fight. In doing so, I sacrificed my status as a Jedi. I joined The Young and watched helplessly as one of their leaders, a human female my age by the name of Cerasi, forfeited her own life for their cause.
Is this what my future will be like as a Jedi? How many times will I be forced to watch a friend die?
Qui-Gon did return for me and told me he'd give me a second chance, but I fear I may have severely damaged our relationship. I'm not certain if he'll ever trust me again.
My apprenticeship has only just begun. At this rate, how am I ever going to become a Knight?
Sincerely, Obi-Wan
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Padme read the letter three times. Each time, the desperate nature of its contents pulled at her heartstrings. Even Dorme didn't know what to say about it. The young woman did make one observation, however, that could prove to be important.
"Compare this letter to the previous one," she suggested.
Padme pulled both documents up on the screen and placed them side by side.
"How long was it before the second one arrived?" her assistant asked.
She wasn't exactly sure. "Twenty minutes, maybe?"
"Well, according to this, the second letter was written six days after the first. Not twenty minutes."
"How is that possible?" Padme studied the timestamp on both letters and had to agree with the deduction.
"I don't know," Dorme sighed heavily, lying back down upon the bed. "Can we sleep on it and talk about it tomorrow?
Tomorrow? Padme did some quick calculations in her head. In regular time – her time, tomorrow would come in approximately two more hours. To this soul, whomever it may be, that would be the equivalent to about a month. If her numbers were correct. In the morning, following eight hours of sleep, five months will have passed for him.
It was far too much to comprehend, and she was too tired to figure it all out right now.
She agreed with her friend. Padme would try to get some rest and reconsider everything in the morning with a fresh mind.
The DataReader was placed on the nightstand and the light switched back off. It was a long while however before the possibilities allowed her to fall asleep.