My Brothers keeper. part 2
The Astrophysics exam had begun in the large auditorium, but half way through the test, the teacher spied Arly Bron reading something under the table.
"Initiate Bron, what are you doing," he said.
Arly jumped in surprise, and realised he had been caught. Dag-Mar and Gerlin sat next to him on either side.
He panicked and said, "Nothing Master, this was passed to me, and he held up a piece of paper. The teacher realising it was the answers to the test, pulled Arly out to the front of the room.
"Who passed this paper to you Arly?"
Arly looked at the two boys that were sitting next to him, and then dropped his eyes and said "Obi-wan Kenobi Sir"
Obi-wan jumped up and denied it, "He is lying Master, I would not cheat, and I certainly wouldn't help him cheat either".
"Enough please sit down Obi-Wan," the teacher stated.
The teacher called Security, and they searched the room finding two more pieces of paper, in Dag-Mar and Gerlin's possession. All four boys were asked to leave, and were placed in separate rooms. The teacher interviewed each boy separately, and Obi-wan denied doing anything wrong, however, he would not implicate Dag-Mar or Gerlin, because he knew Arly was leading them. He hoped that this episode would open their eyes to what kind of person he was.
Arly of course blamed everything on Obi-wan, and to Obi-Wans shock, Dag-mar and Gerlin backed him up. The teaching Masters decided that the council should discipline the boys, and so while they waited to appear before the council Chambers, Arly convinced the two timid boys that everything would be all right if they just agreed with him.
Obi-wan was fuming and he grabbed Arly "Wake up to yourself Arly, this is no joking matter won't be able to talk your way out of this. You will be sent to the Agri corps for sure, this time."
Arly took a swing at Obi-Wan and they began to fight, just as the doors opened to the Council Chamber. Obi-wan swung his fist and connected with Arly's chin and he slid across the floor into the council. Obi-Wan and the other boys followed him in and Obi-wan's face changed to a bright pink. He knew that it was forbidden to fight and he shouldn't have hit Arly especially in the Council Chambers.
Master Windu's face was set in stone; there was no emotion, just glaring eyes.
"What is the meaning of this display; you know how we feel about fighting amongst ourselves. This conduct is outrageous?" he said in a calm voice.
Obi bowed low and spoke "I am sorry for hitting him Master Windu; I have no excuse for my behaviour, but…,"
Master Windu raised his hand up silencing Obi-wan. "It seems to me that you may have run out of excuses." He snapped.
Obi lowered his head in shame and stood silently.
The inquisition took place and by the end of the session, Arly and the two other boys believed they had successfully laid the blame on Obi-wan for all the troubles they had been involved in. However, the Council sensed their deceit, yet nevertheless, Obi-Wan had been in trouble before and he knew fighting was unacceptable. By the end of the session, Obi-wan had a bad feeling about his future with the Jedi. It was not long before his fears were confirmed.
"It is the decision of this Council that you four initiates have upset the quiet, and order of the Temple for the last time. We can no longer abide the deceitful manner that you four seem to display. We will be informing the Head Master on Bandameer that he is to be expecting four new arrivals on the next ship. It has been decided that you will be transferred to the Agri-Corps on Bandameer; transport will be arranged for tomorrow, and you will be given a set of cloths to wear and you are to pack your personal belongings. You will remain on Bandameer until we make a decision, which section of the corps you will be assigned to. Once we make that decision, you shall remain there until you reach adulthood or until a Master decides to choose you as an apprentice. However, let me advise you that there are many initiates at the Temple, who deserve to be chosen before you. In addition, after your fourteenth name day you will no longer be eligible for apprenticeship. The Council is very disappointed in you initiates, may the force protect you and be with you." Mace finished speaking and then he dismissed them so they could go and pack.
Obi-wan's anger rose, he had not done anything wrong, and yet he was being blamed along with the others. He could not bear to walk back with the others, so he walked out in the garden trying to calm him-self, he felt lost and afraid. Later when he entered his room the other boys were sitting on their beds crying and Arly was staring out the window.
He turned around when Obi walked in "What are we going to do he yelled. I don't want to go to the Agri corps."
He was getting angry and because the two boys were crying, and he lost his temper, "It's your fault you snivelling idiots, just shut up you're crying, I cannot think," he snapped.
Obi-wan spun around and snapped at him. "That's your problem, you never think! I kept telling you where you would end up, and now you have dragged me along with you. You lied, you all lied, I never did anything to hurt you, yet you have ruined your lives and mine too."
He grabbed his bag, and emptied his draw into it and took his few possessions from the desk. He slung his bag over his shoulder and left the other three staring after him. Obi-Wan found a quiet corner in the garden and broke down sobbing. "All my life I wanted to be a Jedi, I studied hard and practiced and you have taken that from me because of your lies." He sat on his bed thinking about his life. My parents gave me up so I could be a Jedi I am sure they wouldn't have given me away, so I would end up in the Agri corps, why can't I go home, the Jedi don't want me, I should be allowed to go home Obi-wan lay on the grass, and he thought about his real family and wondered if his parents would take him back.
The next morning Obi-wan got up early and went to the records room. He wanted to find out where his parents were and if he could go back to them. Except when he asked the Docent, he refused to give him the information. That made Obi-wan more determined, and he went to the comm. station and put in a request to speak to the Council, surprisingly they granted his request. As he entered the Council Chambers, all the Masters eyes were on him.
"You have requested an audience before you depart initiate Kenobi." Mace said.
"Yes Sir, I wish to return to my home, to my Mother and Father, if I cannot remain at the Temple then it is my wish to go home.
"That is impossible young Kenobi; your parents gave you up willingly, so you could come to the Temple in addition, become a Jedi. You know nothing about your birth parents, or even if they are alive?"
That shocked Obi-wan he had not thought about them being dead.
"Are my parent's dead then?" he questioned
The council Masters looked at each other and then Master Windu shook his head "No they are not dead."
"Then I have the right to know whether they want me back or not?"
"You are testing our patience young Kenobi, you have been relocated to the Agri corps, and that is final."
"Masters I mean no disrespect, however, I must insist that I am allowed to contact my parents and ask them if they want me back, if I cannot be a Jedi then I want to go home". Obi-wan requested.
"Tell me, why we should allow this request, all those that are not chosen are sent to the Corps, it is your duty to serve the order." Mace answered.
Obi-wan were a stubborn boy when he believed he was right. "Because you have failed in your duty yourselves, and you said last night that you would not tolerate dishonesty at the Temple."
"You are testing my patience now, young one" said Master Plo Koon "We are not dishonest, please explain yourself before we change our minds, and send you to the detention centre instead."
Obi-wan's eyes bulged, he had not thought about the detention centre, which was for students who had committed crimes against the Jedi. Obi-wan began to shake slightly, yet he was determined to say his piece.
"W-What did you tell my parents when you came to our house to test me, and then take me away from them?"
"We were not dishonest in our dealings with your parents, they were told, as all parents are told that if a child is force sensitive they have the option of keeping the child or allowing the natural force in the child to be nurtured and for that child to become a Jedi to help the galaxy, it is an honour for those parents to let their children go for the benefit of the universe." Mace confirmed.
"Yes it is an honour, nevertheless, are they told that if their child is not chosen for whatever reason, they are sent to work at the Agri corps whether they want to or not, are they told that their child might not become a Jedi Knight?" Obi-wan forced him self to continue even though he was afraid. "Did you tell my parents there was a chance I would not become a Jedi. Did you allow them the choice that maybe their son would be better off staying with loving parents; instead of being sent to a temple where we are never treated as children just a product, and if that product is bad for whatever reason it is sent away."
The Councillors were stunned, they had never thought of that before. They did not tell the parents of all the possibilities.
Master Windu stood up and walked over to Obi-wan. "Initiate Kenobi please go and wait in the corridor we wish to discuss this in private."
Obi-wan picked up his bag and went out into the hall, he stood there thinking of Dag-Mar and Gorlin. He wondered if he should tell them to question their fate, just as he had done. However, he shrugged his shoulders. I have to worry about myself from now on he thought.
Some time later, they called him back into the chambers. Master Windu waited for Obi-wan to get to the centre and bow, before he spoke.
"We concur that you have a point young Kenobi, and we have contacted your Mother, she has asked that you go home to her. We have arranged a cabin on a transport that is heading to your home planet."
Master Windu stood up and handed Obi-wan some papers. "These are your release papers from the Jedi. You will relinquish all rights to return to the Temple, and if you change your mind and decide that going back to your birth family is not what you want, then I am sorry to say that you will not be accepted back here. Do I make myself clear young man?"
Obi-wan felt the cold tendrils of abandonment permeate his soul, he was angry at the Council, because they were so cold and stern. They could feel his anger and Mace commented on it.
"Your anger is what has made our decision easier, we had such high hopes for you, nevertheless, you're anger, and insubordination has destroyed any chance of you becoming a Jedi. Now it is time for you to leave, your ship leaves at the same time as the one to Bandameer, the other initiates are preparing to board as we speak."
Obi-wan just stood watching the Councillors. If anyone was arrogant, stubborn and selfish it was them, and Obi-wan decided to say his piece.
"Masters I will go, never to return and I promise you that I will uphold the Jedi code and never use the force for evil. However, I must say this, and even though it is highly disrespectful, I believe I must say it. "I worked hard for my place in the Temple, I didn't ask to come here, I wasn't given a choice, and now I believe my parents weren't really given a choice either, but up until a few months ago, I was convinced that I had upheld the tradition and the code of the Jedi, I was attentive and did not cause any trouble I thought my good behaviour would assure my place as a Jedi. Yet lies and deceit are rife within this Temple, and I believe the Council are blind, arrogant, and self-centred. You do not care about the initiates or their families, you just take, and when it does not suit you, then you abandon children who have never known any other home but this one, in essence you are our parents- How do you sleep at night knowing you turn your own children out?"
Mace sat there allowing the boy to speak, but what the boy was saying annoyed him immensely. It seemed to be hitting a nerve in his soul somewhere and he did not like the feeling.
"Enough" Master Windu shouted, "we have listened to you words now leave, and don't come back!" he growled as he pointed to the door.
Obi-wan smiled and then bowed slightly, he slowly turned around, and with his head held high, he walked out the door and out of the Jedi Temple.
Master Windu realised as soon as he said it, that he had done exactly what he had accused Obi-wan of, he lost his temper.
tbc...