So. It's been...awhile. I have a few excuses, but I know that they will probably not please people, at least the ones who still remember this story. I think I'll leave excuses by the wayside, as well as apologies, and just get on with the story. I have the first part entirely finished and will be posting it all up at regular intervals now.

I hope, if you still give a fig about it, that you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: George Lucas owns Star Wars and the idea of midichlorians. As far as I'm concerned, he can have it.

8

Symbionts and The Chosen One

Qui Gon and Obi Wan were the first two humans to make their way out onto the platform. A bit melancholy from having to leave Geenine such a hasty message, I wandered over to where they were in a rather haphazard way. However, once I reached them I immediately focused my sensors on their conversation.

"The boy is dangerous. They all sense it, why can't you?" Obi Wan was complaining to his hippie master.

"He is not dangerous. His fate is uncertain," the wise man informed his pupil. He then ordered his Padawan onto the ship.

I'm sure that put his mind at rest. I muttered to myself as I pretended to watch traffic whizzing by the landing platform.

Then Anakin came out, looking a little confused, lost, and scared. In other words, like he normally did. They hadn't even given the poor kid a change of clothes, which I understand, is tantamount to not giving a droid an oil bath after a few seasons. Disgraceful I tell you. Plus, he needed a haircut.

"Qui Gon sir," Anakin addressed the master. "I don't want to be a bother." He looked anxiously over to where Obi Wan was fuming as he walked up the ramp and into the ship.

"You won't be Ani," Qui Gon said endearingly. "I'm not allowed to train you, so I want you to watch me and be mindful...always remember, your focus determines your
reality. Stay close to me and you will be safe."

Oh sure. You'll be safe enough until he decides to move along to the next model of prodigy child. Or until another mysterious black cloaked figure attacks him with a lightsaber. I was getting frustrated. Qui Gon was obviously trying to adhere to a master plan, but was not letting a mastermind like me in. Humans.

"I've been wondering. What are midichlorians?" Anakin asked next. I turned up my recording device.

Do tell.

"Midichlorians are microscopic life forms that reside within all living cells," Qui Gon said, straightening up and looking very sage as he did so.

Anakin looked creeped out and rightly so. "They live inside me?"

They control your every thought and movement. I suggested menacingly, though I was far from serious.

"In your cells, yes," Professor Qui Gon continued. "We are symbionts with the midichlorians."

"Symbionts?" Anakin's face scrunched up in confusion.

We really need to expand your vocabulary kid. I whistled mournfully.

"Life forms living together for mutual advantage. Without them life would not exist and we would have no knowledge of the Force."

Not gonna lie. That's a little weird. I muttered as I took notes.

"When you quiet your mind, you will hear them speaking to you," Qui Gon continued, finishing up his lecture.

"I don't understand," Anakin shook his head.

Big shock. I muttered.

"With time and training Ani, you will," Qui Gon said soothingly, love dripping out of every word. Boy had he fallen hard.

Before I could puzzle over this strange turn of events, Jar Jar showed up with the Queen.

Qui Gon then turned his attention to the Queen telling her they were honored to still be serving her as protectors, and escorted her onto the ship. I followed after a manner of moments, as Anakin urged me to get on board. I could tell he had a lot on his mind, unlike the duck that somehow managed to get on the ship without killing anyone.

Once inside, we settled down for a long trip. Anakin came and sat next to me in the main hold, puzzling the entire thing as I processed the matter, quickly discerning that Anakin had a high midichlorian count, as I'd found out that night on Tatooine. This meant, judging by Qui Gon's lecture, that he could communicate with the Force on a very close and personal level. It meant, essentially, that he could potentially become very powerful.

However, he was not going to be trained. This I could not fathom. If I were given a boost in my power circuits but not given a program to run them, then it would be essentially a waste of energy and efficiency. What then compelled the Jedi to let such energy go to waste?

"Hey Artoo." Anakin slumped despondently next to me.

Hey kid. I said back. One of those days huh?

Anakin sighed. "They said I was the Chosen One Artoo. They tested me in the Council Chambers and said I had a lot of midi-whatevers. But they won't let me train to be a Jedi."

Keep talking. I said soothingly.

Anakin furrowed his brow then. "They said I was too angry. I was too afraid or something stupid like that. Too afraid to leave my mother behind."

Well. I struggled to come up with something wise, profound and soothing. That sucks.

Well don't blame me, Threepio is better with flowery language.

And what is this Chosen One business? I asked him as he continued to brood, a trait he had down amazingly well for an organic so young.

"But I don't understand Artoo. I want to be a Jedi. And they said there's this prophecy I might be able to help them fulfill. I could be the Chosen One. Master Yoda himself admitted it! It's not fair," he fumed.

Dang kid. That's impressive. The green one himself gave you the nod? Well—almost.

Anakin sighed again and slumped against me. "I guess I'll just have to watch and wait, like Qui Gon said."

Hey don't sweat it kid. I recognized that this was a lot to heap on a young organic like him in such a short amount of time. It'll work out I'm sure. You've got me here after all, don't you?

Anakin smiled, encouraged by my pep talk. He sat up a little bit straighter and with that marvelous Skywalker twinkle in his eye, patted me on the head.

"At least back on Naboo I'll get to spend some more time with Padmé," he said happily.

Criminy. I couldn't help but say as Anakin wandered off in search of mischief and mayhem.

I could only hope that the Queen had more sense than to waste time with this crazy midichlorian filled kid.

But these were all Jedi problems that I recognized I had to push out of the way. As well as random memory recalls of Geenine. We were heading back to Naboo to fight a war against the evil and ugly Trade Federation. The Queen, the Jedi, and former slaveboy would need all the help they could get on this one.