Obi-wan regained conscious and found himself still strapped to his chair. The seat had locked down the straps due to the high-speed crash and wouldn't release him. Obi-wan reached for his lightsaber but it was missing from his belt. He struggled to move searching for his laser weapon.
"Looking for this?" Qui-gon walked from behind the tree bended down and held the approximately 1 foot long cylinder in front of Obi-wan. A lightsaber is a special weapon constructed and used by the Jedi. It is a thin handle that produces a plasma blade that can cut through objects from the blazing heat the plasma produces. The saber is also used for ceremonial occasions the most important, the knighting of a young Jedi. Obi-wan had constructed his when he was declared a padawan of Qui-gon Jinn. It is a long process that takes focus and determination.
Obi-wan looked at his master a little ashamed for losing his most important possession. "Thank you master, I'm sorry I…"
"Ha ha ha, no matter Obi-wan. I would not consider myself worthy of being your master if I faulted you for your belt clip breaking in our crash and the fact that you are trapped in your chairs safety feature." Qui-gon laughed again, "Though I must say it is pretty humorous seeing you in this present state, but I assume that you do not appreciate it." Qui-gon ignited the lightsaber sending a blue beam from the hilt that cut through the base of the strap. Obi-wan jumped out of the seat relieved to be released from the tight straps. Rubbing his neck and limping he said,
"Thank the maker, I hate being trapped like that unable to move, that helpless feeling that sends chills up your body." Obi-wan shivered and released a disgusted sigh. "It was the same feeling I had when we were getting hit by the Trade Federation, sitting there watching the pilot struggle with the controls." Qui-gon handed the lightsaber to Obi-wan and when Obi-wan received it he noticed the remaining burning parts of the ship. The tree that the ship hit had snapped in half with the top portion laying upon the remaining wreckage. It was all in flames. Obi-wan looked around seeing bits and pieces of the ship scattered with small flames in trails behind. He looked back at his seat and then closed his eyes thanking the Force for its protection, for he knew that he barely escaped death.
Qui-gon looked out into the crash and answered his padawan. "Yes, the fear of losing control. All fear finds its root in the fact that we lack the ability to control the situation, place or thing. It is something that all creatures feel in one sense or another. I would not say the feeling of fear is evil nor call one a coward for admitting to his fears, but it is when they give in and the fear takes over them. They panic, losing all sense of direction and wisdom. That is when creatures are dangerous, when they make mistakes that cost them."
"But what of the times when we do have reason to fear? Like in that crash? We were in total submission to the situation, with our lives at stake. What is left then, but for us to fear?"
"Being afraid is not the issue, but it is controlling your fear not allowing yourself to make a rash decision while in a panic. There will be times when you do not have anything that can be done about a situation like the crash, for we were at the mercy of forces greater than ourselves. You may have the ability to flee or you may be trapped in the danger but the best thing is to accept your weakness and take whatever action is required not giving in to fear and panic. That is giving respect where respect is needed. Respect the fact that you do not and cannot have control and therefore you give the control over to the greater force. This is what it truly means to trust in the Force, to trust our lives in a force greater than ourselves. The benefit of trusting in the Force is it is on our side, it wants the ultimate good, even when sacrifices and struggles must be made."
Obi-wan looked back out into the crash. He knew his master was right, and that he himself was aware of the truth, yet the truth seemed to be more alive and freeing at this instant as if he had never heard it before. The fact that he was weak and would be useless at times was true and peaceful to except, for reasons he did not fully understand. It was a feeling that was hard to describe but Obi-wan felt confident and secure, for the Force was his ally.
"Come Obi-wan. We must see what supplies we can salvage from the wreckage and then try to make our way to the Naboo." Qui-gon made his way towards the crash and then it occurred to Obi-wan. Where was the pilot?
"Master!" Obi-wan said, with a quiet sense of urgency. Before he was able to say anything else, Qui-gon looked back at his padawan and Obi-wan saw a poignant face, sorrowful eyes that met his. Obi-wan immediately looked down. He was only just acquainted with the pilot, but that did not ease the sting that he felt. Obi-wan hated death, or at least death that came before one's proper time, innocent life destroyed because species could not live in peace. Obi-wan felt the comforting hand of Qui-gon on his shoulder and looked back at his master. Qui-gon was smiling, a smile that brought comfort to Obi-wan. Qui-gon did not have to say anything, he just had to acknowledge his presence and Obi-wan knew he understood. Qui-gon knew Obi-wan just as well as Obi-wan knew himself. All the discussions they had reemerged in his mind, dealing with death. Qui-gon appreciated the value that his padawan had on life. "There is always a time and need for grief" He would tell Obi-wan, "But there are also times to move on, to continue to fight for what the deceased fought and suffered for." Obi-wan heard those words in his head and knew that the Pilot had done her duty, getting them to Naboo, and now it was time for them to do theirs, with the motivation to not let her down.
The two Jedi moved through the flaming wreckage and were able to uncover only a handful of supplies that were still good such as vitamin and protein capsules, an empty water jug, and luckily for them a Spincer Shelter which outer packaging had been signed but no actual damage to the shelter. They also already had on their utility belts, which contained more morsels of food, a Hush-98 comlink, a grappling hook and an A99 Aquata Breather, a small air tank device that one could bite on for quick water dives.
Naboo was a vast green planet and the Jedi knew that having enough food and water would not be a big issue. Their ship crashed within a large forest on the southwestern side of the planet, Obi-wan figured it was the Mardook forest full of creatures of all sorts and home to the great Krumderlont river, connecting the Middle ocean with the Southern Deep ocean and running for over 5,000 miles and getting as deep as 150 feet. That would be their landmark confirming their location. It would provide provisions and would lead to a settlement eventually. "The Naboo rely on this river in these parts and I know that Spinnaker is connected to the river just south to the Middle Ocean." Obi-wan said to Qui-gon.
"Yes it does seem to make the most sense to look for the river, but if it is not there we could get stranded deep within the dangerous swamps but its worth the risk and there really is no other choice." They ventured on through the thick swamp, traversing through pools of mud and fallen trees. There were various types of trees that Obi-wan recognized but many more he had never seen. They twisted and bunched together creating a solid roof above their heads and a maze of Oake and mangrove wood on the surface. It was a difficult terrain to cross. The Jedi's boots and cloaks were covered in thick mud and their garments were soaked with sweat from the high humidity.
After a few hours the Jedi stopped to rest and discuses their situation. "I sense that the Trade Federation's false assumption of our purpose was no mistake."
"Hmm, had to meditate on that one didn't you?" said Obi-wan to Qui-gon. Qui-gon couldn't help but chuckle. "But yes, they took action with only the slightest evidence of piracy and gave us no time to respond. We obviously were not any threat with the size and capabilities of our ship."
"Indeed. Our transmissions were getting through but the Federation was just ignoring them. It seems they wanted reason to attack us and ignored any sort of communication with us. I have no doubt that they knew we were of the Jedi order."
"What motivation would be behind such action?"
"That I do not know, but its obviously connected to the disputes over the contract between the Federation and the Naboo. My guess is that the Federation is crossing boundaries it has no legal right to."
The Jedi set up camp along the river, ate some of the morsels saved from the wreckage and went to sleep.