Though they arrived last and late, Obi-Wan was not content to remain at the rear of the cavern. He slipped around the edge of the crowd, working his way toward Sitaris, the remains of the blanket around his shoulders. The deep tunnels and caves had been cold. Deanna paced him, a comforting presence at his side. She, at least, was beginning to understand him. The others followed behind.
Dust hung thick in the cavern where the Lansarites had made their home. Most of the tents had collapsed, buried in rubble. Yet the sun shone bright in a blue sky over their heads. Rays of light pierced the dust like beams through a cloud, illuminating the listening faces of free and bonder alike. The trainer Viden's deep voice, strong with certainty, carried to all corners of the cavern. Lansarites stood or perched upon fallen boulders, silent in the ruin of their camp. "… and we have called for allies for the aid of those stronger than we: the Republic, and the Jedi. The Jedi, in their wisdom, have already answered our call, and with their help, we defeat Starways upon the ground and in the air alike.
"But there is a price for their aid, a price which may be painful for some of us, yet which I believe - and the Elders and tribal leaders in their wisdom agree - will be a step toward maturity for our people, our planet, our way of life. We are to end the practice of bondage as we know it."
The silence of the cavern was complete.
"Though bonder and master may yet enter into the traditional contract, they must now do so of their own free will, with the freedom of both parties to exit the relationship guaranteed. Only the best masters will continue! My people, our day of freedom is at hand!"
Quiet muttering answered this pronouncement, and dubious looks from the scattered bonders. Obi-Wan held his breath. He felt the confusion of the Lansarites - mingled hope, anxiety - they felt cast adrift, torn from the only way of life they knew. It was a feeling Obi-Wan empathized with, he had felt it himself so often of late.
Obi-Wan wended his way to the front of the crowd: and saw Sitaris, standing close near Viden, Kadric beside him. Sitaris's eyes scanned the crowd. His gaze reached Obi-Wan, and came to rest. Obi-Wan dropped his eyes, then hesitantly, determinedly, he raised them once more. The trainer smiled: a strange expression on that stern face, yet not unwelcoming: and held out one hand. Obi-Wan dropped the blanket and walked to him.
"My friends," began Sitaris, "my people. Three times this day has my bonder spoken a truth out of turn, three times to save us."
"I bear witness to that," Kadric interjected. "This bonder speaks the truth of the god-chosen. It is an omen of change."
"Speak to the people, boy. Tell them the will of the gods." Sitaris gave Obi-Wan a little push, watching him expectantly.
Obi-Wan wet his lips, staring at Sitaris, then turned to the crowds. "Masters, bonders all:" he began in a tentative voice. He saw Viden flash an encouraging smile at him, watching from one side, now, letting him have the floor. He took a deep breath, and spoke as loud and clearly as he could. "Master is provider, protector, teacher. Bonder is servant, student. Both are friends, comrades, parents and children, brothers and sisters. It is time for the people of Lansar to take this step."
"Let every one of us," said Sitaris, "call this our day of freedom." And with that, he reached out to Obi-Wan: touched the collar at his neck. It opened, fell to the ground. Obi-Wan stared at it, dull metal dusty upon the red dirt. Then he looked back to Sitaris, and smiled. His heart could hardly contain the sweet triumph that soared within him. Not every battle was won by force of arms.
All around the cavern, Obi-Wan heard the sound of collars clicking open. Everywhere he looked bonders stood in wonder clasping their necks, embracing one another. Some embraced their masters. Some cried alone.
Sitaris laid a broad hand upon Obi-Wan's shoulder. "On the bonder's day of freedom, he chooses a new name."
"I have a name, Sitaris, and a home," Obi-Wan answered softly. "I choose to return to both."
"Thank you Sitaris," said Viden then, stepping near. His eyes fell on Obi-Wan and he smiled. Then he turned to Kadric. "And thanks to you, Kadric. Your example helped the transition to go smoothly, and peacefully."
"This change has been due for a long while. You were right, Viden," said Kadric.
Sitaris turned, seeing Will and Deanna push in behind him. "These people have need of our help, Viden," said Sitaris. "Their ship has been commandeered by Xanatos's forces. If his people learn how to bring the ship's weapons on line -"
"The large alien vessel the Offworld fleet attacked when they first arrived in the system?" asked Viden.
"Her name is Enterprise," Will told them. "We had hoped that the Jedi -"
"The Jedi are already en route to your ship," Viden interrupted. His gaze shifted to Obi-Wan. The boy inhaled with sudden anxiety. "Seeing the two of you at the Council meeting led them to believe the object of their long search to be sequestered there."
"What -?" Will asked.
"Is Qui-Gon with them?" Obi-Wan overrode the commander. He couldn't stop himself asking.
"Is he your master, lad? I guessed as much," Viden said kindly, at Obi-Wan's nod, "but I did not ask. I do not know the answer to your question. I have only met Master Ellmore and Knight Vederra. It was Tahl Vederra who asked me to watch for you, Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"Have you some way to contact them?"
"I fear we have none, not now," he answered. "Offworld is blocking all our off-planet transmissions. But you may come with me to the city, if you wish. Perhaps there we can find an answer to your need."
"And Will and the others?" Obi-Wan asked. Will broke off staring at Obi-Wan to look at Viden hopefully.
"They may come as well. Give me time to gather my warriors - will you join me above?
Obi-Wan nodded emphatically. "I will."
"Fifteen minutes, then." Viden bowed to him and to Sitaris, and withdrew, heading for the passage and stair that led to the sand, not the top of the stone formation.
"You are Jedi, lad?" Sitaris asked in wonderment.
Obi-Wan looked up at him, eyes serious. "Yes. I am Jedi."
"You never told me."
"How could I have done so?"
Sitaris nodded sadly. "I would have fostered you, if you would have me. But you have another destiny before you, it seems. Still, I would not have you leave with empty arms. The master always presents his bonder with gifts on his day of freedom."
"There is no need -"
"At least let me provide you with clothing."
Obi-Wan smiled gratefully. "That I would appreciate," he said. He crossed his arms, once more embarrassingly aware of his bare skin.
"We'll wait for you here," Deanna called to him as he followed Sitaris away, "if you wish it." Obi-Wan smiled and waved, knowing she would sense his confirmation.
The remains of Sitaris's tent was covered with dust and debris. Only half of it still stood. Sitaris had Obi-Wan wait outside while he pushed through the mess within. Soon he emerged with a water bag, a small bundle of cloth and packages, and a pair of boots: Obi-Wan's boots from Enterprise.
"We don't waste good footwear," Sitaris explained as he put the boots on the ground. "I'm afraid my tunic and trousers will be far too large for you," he continued, "but you should have some protection from the sun - hopefully you won't be needing it from flying rock and shrapnel."
"I'll be more careful, Sitaris, I promise," the boy assured him.
Chuckling, Sitaris pulled the loose tunic over the boy's head. It reached to his knees, but with the neck laced up, it didn't slip from his shoulders. Sitaris tied back the sleeves. "I get the feeling, young Jedi, that you attract trouble at the best of times. But I will rest easier for that promise." He handed obi-Wan the trousers, which the boy pulled on under the tunic. He pulled the drawstring tight around his waist.
Sitaris produced a belt, which he cut short to fit the boy. He fastened it around Obi-Wan's middle, gathering in the loose tunic. It was wide, of leather, with rings of metal embedded for holding tools, and a small pouch at the side.
"Thank you, Sitaris," the boy said earnestly, looking up at the trainer's gray eyes. He suspected that a leather belt of this quality was difficult to come by on this world.
"No need, lad. Obi-Wan. Thank you. I have learned a great deal from you these weeks - not least to open my eyes and my mind to new possibilities, new ideas. I owe you."
"I'll miss you, Sitaris." the boy said quietly. "I've learned form you, as well - to appreciate quiet, stillness. Something of patience, of acceptance."
"Here," Sitaris said, "pack these for the road." He handed Obi-Wan a small package of the sweet and chewy grain bars Lansarites favored. Obi-Wan tucked them in his belt pouch, then pulled on his boots.
"Will you drink with me before you go?" Sitaris asked when he finished. With the gravity of ritual, Obi-Wan took the water bag from Sitaris, and drank, handing it back when it was half finished. Sitaris followed him, finishing the water that remained. He wiped his lips, then slung the bag over his shoulder. "Honor to you, always, young Jedi Obi-Wan."
"And to you, Sitaris. May the Force be with you." On impulse, Obi-Wan embraced the man, so short a while his master. Sitaris clasped him close, then let him go. "We may yet meet again, Sitaris." Obi-Wan turned, then, and without a backward glance, walked to the center of the cavern, on his way to the stair to the surface, feeling intensely his freedom.
Deanna, Will and Wesley fell into step with him as he passed near; together they walked to the stairway by which they had first been brought into the Lansarite camp.
"Ben - Obi -" stammered Wesley.
"Obi-Wan," he corrected with a smile.
"Obi-Wan. You said you are a Jedi."
"I am. I have been, almost since the day I was born, when my parents gave me into the care of the Jedi Temple."
"At the Council meeting," said Will, "it was said that the Jedi are the arm of justice for the Republic."
"So we are. We serve the Republic as ambassadors, mediators, agents of justice, and guardians of the peace. So we have always done - well, for as long as anyone remembers."
"But you're so young," Deanna protested.
"I'm an apprentice," Obi-Wan replied happily. "A Padawan learner, on the path to enlightenment. At least I hope so. The Jedi Council might debate that point, considering the trouble I've found recently."
They emerged from the dim winding stair into sunshine, and stood blinking in the light of full day. Pale near the horizon shone a small golden moon. The red of dry dirt cut a sharp contrast to the deep azure overhead: a stark, majestic panorama. Several landspeeders and personnel transports hovered nearby. Some rose to the sky as they approached. Viden stood by the nearest transport, speaking with the pilot. When he saw them he waved them over.
"We have news of a downed starcraft not far from here," he said without preamble as they approached. "We'll take a short detour to deal with it."
"What kind of ship?" Obi-Wan asked, as Viden boosted him into the back of the transport.
"Corellian, that's all I know." Viden helped the others climb in, then scrambled up himself. The pilot immediately lifted off. "Four Offworlders are resisting being taken into custody."
The wind picked up as they increased speed, making conversation difficult. Obi-Wan watched the landscape speed by, breathing deeply of the clean, dry air of the open desert. The sun and the hot air whistling by left him comfortably warm. He shielded his eyes, scanning the horizon ahead. A glint of silver caught his eye. He pointed it out for Wesley, beside him on the seat, leaning forward into the wind, watching. Wesley nodded, his eyes fixed on the spot.
In only a few minutes they reached the crash site. A long gouge marred the flat where the ship had skidded before coming to rest, but the craft herself looked remarkably intact. Obi-Wan guessed she had suffered engine failure. Several transports and speeders were there before them; Obi-Wan noted a small crowd surrounding what must be te now-captured Offworld operatives.
"May I question them?" the boy asked, turning to Viden.
"You may," the man answered, indicating Obi-Wan and his companions might follow him.
The prisoners were human, and Corellian, by their clothing: all but one - a tall Durran. Obi-Wan noted the human female that must be their captain - she watched her Lansarite guards with contempt, and held her head with the surety of command. No use trying with that one. The youngest male, though - Obi-Wan turned to Viden, brows upraised, and was granted a nod of permission. He faced the young human squarely and drew on the Force, focusing power with his hand held before him, first fingers straight and stiff.
"Tell me the procedure to dock in the alien starship," he said easily, almost conversationally.
"To dock -" the youth's brow creased. "approach the lower bay. When asked, the code is Ionite clocking."
"You idiot!" Shouted the woman, almost drowning out the young man's recitation of the pass code. "What are you doing?" The youth stammered, unable to answer. The woman turned a venomous eye on Obi-Wan. "What are you - a Jedi whelp?"
Obi-Wan tilted his head and did not answer.
"Done?" Viden asked. The boy nodded. Viden gestured that the prisoners should be removed.
"Your blasted mind tricks won't save you if I find you've touched my ship!" the captain shouted as she was escorted away, none too gently.
"I may be able to repair the ship," Obi-Wan told Viden, "depending upon the damage."
"A functional ship may be of some use, though in truth I don't believe we have any pilots available right now who could fly it."
"I know how to fly her," Obi-Wan answered. "And I'm a good pilot. I could return these people to Enterprise."
"You could do what?" Wesley demanded.
"No way," growled Will, "you are not going back into danger."
"I want to return to my people, Will," the boy pleaded. "They're up there, looking for me. And how else will you get back?"
"Teach me to fly the ship," Will answered. "I'll tell your people where to find you."
"You have a few spare days to learn?"
Will growled in frustration, turning his back on the boy.
Deanna tapped her communicator. "Troi to Enterprise," she intoned. There was no response.
"We don't even know if the ship can be made spaceworthy," Obi-Wan pointed out. "Let me try to repair her: it will most likely be time well spent, and perhaps another option will present itself in the meantime." Yet even as he argued, obi-Wan knew there would be no other option. They would return to Enterprise on this ship, and soon.
Will sighed, his lips pursed tight. "All right," he said finally. "Is there some way we can help? Perhaps one of us should go to the city -"
"I can contact you if the comm blockage ends, or if we find a pilot able to take you." Viden held a hand out to one of the warriors at his side, who gave the leader his comlink. Viden handed the comlink to Obi-Wan. "Infiltrating your ship to stop Xanatos is a high priority for us as well as for you. I will leave a squad here, with a speeder, to guard this site. Contact me if you have need of me."
"Thank you for all your help," Deanna told him. Viden bowed in answer, and left them.
"Come on," Obi-Wan told Wesley. "Want to see a Corellian starfighter?"
"Are you kidding?" Wes yelled, following. "You couldn't pay me to stay away!"
Will and Deanna exchanged bemused glances. "Kids," Will intoned. Deanna chuckled.