000
I had a bit of spare time, so here we go with a longer chapter this time. Thanks for reading.
000
The evening before the ship was to land; Obi-Wan tossed in his sleep as sweat beaded on his forehead. A strangled cry left his lips as he woke from a terrible nightmare. He hadn't felt a disturbance like that since the eruption on Thyferra.
His head throbbed and his hands were locked into fists as the realisation hit him that something was wrong with his master.
The corridor to the pilot's station seemed never-ending as the sound of his boot steps echoed all around as he hurried along. By the time he arrived at the entrance he had to push his way past flight engineers, and the co-pilot.
Master Durron was on the floor with a medic bent over him giving him cardio resuscitation.
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Life, the quality that distinguishes a vital and functioning being was absent in the body of his mentor. Obi-Wan felt the emptiness of a once vibrant bond that had sustained him and given him hope for the past two years. Master Durron had passed into the Force.
He wanted to cry out 'No' but it would not bring him back. He knelt down and placed his hand on his master's head as they worked on him. The Doctor looked up and shook his head.
"I'm sorry, but he's dead." The Doctor said aloud and Obi-Wan nodded his understanding.
"He'd finished his shift and was walking to the door when he collapsed." The co-pilot said shock lacing his words.
Grief filled Obi-Wan as they took Master Durron to the morgue. His master, his friend and mentor was dead. He followed the stretcher in a daze, not caring if anyone saw the tears tracking down his face.
It was hours later when the Captain finally persuaded Obi-Wan to let the medic prepare his body for the funeral.
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After the service Obi-Wan spent the remainder of his time in his cabin packing his meagre belongings to be ready to disembark on Chandrila, when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in" He called.
The Captain entered the cabin holding a package. "These are Cass's personal items. He didn't have any relatives, and he told me that if anything happened to him I was to give them to you. He told me you were like a son to him and he wanted you to have them."
Obi-Wan took the parcel and reverently opened it. Inside was a small wooden carving of a Jedi knight, and Obi-Wan remembered seeing his master carving something a few months before.
Next was a holo pic of Obi-Wan; a candid shot of him balancing one handed on a beam in the storage area. He smiled and thought. (I will never forget you Master, thank you and May the Force bring you joy.)
Master Durron's light sabre was in a holster attached to a leather belt, and it was wrapped in a hand crafted woven piece of blue silk depicting the Jedi temple with the five spires in silver thread.
He would treasure the image of the temple forever, knowing now that he would never see the real thing.
Next he held the sabre; he'd used this sabre many times in practise and felt humbled that Master Durron would give it to him. Perhaps one day he would return it to Master Yoda, but for now he would keep it safe.
Obi-Wan's eyes opened wide when he opened a leather satchel that contained a very large sum of credits. He didn't know what to do with such an amount, and he offered it to the Captain.
"I cannot take this." He said.
"He wanted you to have it, I spoke to him the day before he died, and I think he knew his end was near. He said you may need it. He also had many boxes of books; I'll leave them in storage with all the other equipment from the ship. When you get settled come and see me and I'll give them to you."
Obi-Wan nodded and lowered his head; the Captain presumed he wanted to be alone and wished him well; leaving him to finish packing.
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000
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Chandrila, a beautiful lush world, Obi-Wan studied the planet in history and geography back at the temple. A thriving agricultural world, their exporting industry was foodstuff, and the majority of people beyond the city were farmers.
Hanna city the capital overlooked the sea and from the view screen he could see waves rolling onto the beach. He'd never actually seen the ocean or a beach before and decided he would go there once he was out of the port and sit on the sand.
Stepping down the ramp he paused at the bottom to get his bearings. It was then that he noticed flower beds all around the port and hanging planters with flowering vines cascading down; moving to and fro in the slight warm breeze. The Force seemed to be in harmony in this place and the air was fresh and the sky was clear.
Looking back one last time at the Sun Seeker sadness filled him remembering his master. He sent a silent 'Good bye' and turned to walk across to the exit.
The noise of people and ships arriving pulled his attention back to the present. Several diplomatic ships had arrived and a passenger cruiser as well. Passengers were streaming down the ramps all with the same plan to exit the port. He certainly didn't want to be caught up in the rush so he picked up his bag and headed toward the ticket inspection area.
After a brief inspection his ticket was stamped and as he moved toward the line of people waiting at the gate, an officer bellowed behind him.
His concentration was lacking and he didn't expect to be pushed to one side as several VIPs were being ushered towards the gates.
"Move out of the way! Senator Mothma is in a hurry!" the port official shouted, and then he shoved Obi-Wan.
He stumbled back bumping into a man who had his back to him. He turned and went to apologise to the man, "I'm sorr… he began.
However before he had time to complete his sentence, the man wheeled around and swung his fist. He sensed it coming and ducked, but the man kicked out at him. Sending Obi-Wan sliding across the floor coming to a stop at the feet of a very stately looking woman, who was with a young boy of about twelve.
He scrambled to his feet and began to apologise for his clumsiness. "I'm sorry…
However before he could finish, the official who had caused the problem in the first place, grabbed him by the collar and was just about to hit him; when a commanding voice spoke out with authority.
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"Cease this outrage!" she said grabbing the officials arm.
"What do you think you are doing? She snapped.
"This boy was causing trouble and he was in your way, my lady." He said.
"The young man was not in the way at all; how ill-mannered of you to push the citizens about like that. He has as much right to walk through here as I do. I am ashamed to call you an official!" she said berating him.
The man released Obi-Wan, and backed up. "Forgive me 'my lady' I was just making space for you."
"Well in future, see to it that you don't!" she said glaring at him.
She turned to Obi-Wan as he retrieved his bag.
"Young man, please accept my apologies for the deplorable way you were treated." she offered.
"Thank you my Lady, but you have nothing to apologise for and I'm sorry if I caused you any inconvenience." He said bowing to her.
"Nonsense young man, I'm sure it is us that have inconvenienced you. I am certain that you have better things to be doing rather than being shoved around in a space port."
Obi-Wan looked around, and it dawned on him that he had no idea where he was going to go once he left here.
"If you would be so kind to point me in the direction of the employment office, I would be grateful, as I have never been to Chandrila before and I have no idea where I am to go." he said.
"What is your name young man?" she asked.
He thought about his name and knew that sometimes Jedi came to Chandrila and the name Obi-Wan would be recognisable; he didn't want to be seen as a failure and this place would be a new beginning and it deserved a new name.
"My name is Ben, Ben Kenobi 'My Lady."
"Well Ben this is my son Lance, and I am Mon Mothma, it is a pleasure to meet you. The employment office is in the same building where I work; here is the address." she said handing him her card.
"Hello Lance, it's nice to meet you, and thank you Senator Mon Mothma." He said and smiled.
"If there is anything I can do to help you, please contact me on that number." she said pointing to the card.
"I will." He bowed and moved off through the gates.
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Leaving the space port he decided to go to the beach first and tucked the card into his pocket.
Relaxing on the beach he let the sand run through his fingers as he scooped it up. It was soft yet gritty and small shells lay all around the beach.
The crash of waves hitting the sand was soothing and the water was so clear. He liked this place and he hoped that he would find a job and be able to settle here.
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000
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Later in the day 'Ben' was sitting in a lush green park outside the employment office, wondering what he should do now that he'd filled in the forms and put his name on the list for jobs.
He'd left his contact details as a comm. unit number that the Captain of the Sun Seeker gave him and with the credits his master gave him he would be able to rent accommodation until he obtained a job.
The sun shone down through the branches of an oak tree he was sitting under when he felt a disturbance in the Force. Following the Forces guide the feeling of danger was coming from a man sitting in a secluded area watching the Senate building. It was warning him to be aware; so he kept his eyes on the heavy set blacked haired man.
The doors to the senate building opened and senator Mon Mothma came out with her son and several aides. Lance jogged to the swings while his mother sat down on the bench a few metres away chatting to her aides.
Ben watched as the boy went from the swing to the climbing bars and he noticed the man's eyes follow Lance's every move. A clump of bushes were on one side of the play area and the man put his hood up over his head and headed toward them.
A commotion on the other side of the park caused the senator and her aide to look away from the play area taking their eyes off Lance. Ben sensed this was a diversion, so he kept Lance in view and followed the man.
He was a fair distance away and he had to run around a pond to get on the same side as the swings. There were some bushes in front of him, and he lost his view of Lance for a moment.
A worried voice broke the calmness of the afternoon. "Lance! Lance! Someone stop that man…..He's taking my son!"
Ben sensed time was of the essence and he gathered the force around him leaping over the bushes. He could see Lance struggling against the hooded man who was trying to drag the boy toward a speeder parked near a stand of trees.
He landed in front of the man and held up his hand. "Release him…. and I will not hurt you."
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"Get out of my way kid, or you will be the one to get hurt." the man growled as he pulled out a blaster. Obi-Wan didn't waste any time and used the force pulling the blaster out of his hands.
"Wha…." the man was shocked as the blaster flew out of his hands and landed in the pond.
The man panicked and pushed Lance at Obi-Wan. The boy's fear assaulted his senses as the young boy cried and clung to him. The man charged at the two boys brandishing a knife slashing as he attacked.
Ben saw the knife coming; it was aimed at Lance's back. So he twisted his own body, pulling Lance away from the downward strike of the knife. Luckily the knife missed the young boy however he wasn't so lucky.
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000
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The shout from Lance's mother attracted the attention of security guards who were running towards them. The attacker didn't waste any time and hurried off disappearing in to the bushes.
"Your safe now Lance," he said as the security guards, Senator Mon Mothma and her aide all arrived at the same moment.
"T-thank you." The boy stuttered.
"Lance! … Lance, are you alright!" she said anxiously.
'Y-yes mother.. Ben saved me, but he's bleeding..." he pointed to the blood seeping through his shirt.
"Oh my, call for a medic, Ben's hurt!" she ordered.
The security guard pulled a cloth from his pocket and wrapped it around Ben's arm.
"It's fine, just a scratch it will be alright." Ben insisted.
"Nonsense you will come with us, and have it checked." Mon Mothma declared.
Ben didn't have much of a choice as medics ushered him into the senators building cleaning and bandaging his arm.
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After Ben was finished with the healer he was taken to the Senator's Office. Lance was sitting on the couch and jumped up. "Ben, are you going to be alright."
"Yes Lance, I will be fine don't worry."
Lance's mother eyed the bandaged arm. "How did you know that man was after Lance?"
"At first I didn't, I'd been to the employment office and decided to sit in the park. I noticed him watching the senate building and when you and Lance came out he seemed very interested in what you were doing. He followed Lance to the play area, so I followed him."
"I normally don't allow him to get so far away from me, and I only took my eyes off him for a moment, but that's all it takes."
"I believe the commotion was a ruse to attract your attention, because that was when he attacked."
"Are you a Jedi apprentice?"
"No my lady, I was on the Sun Seeker for several years and my mentor taught me how to take care of my self." Ben said truthfully.
"Oh yes I heard that the Sun Seeker is here for a refit, what about your mentor, where is he?"
"He was the pilot, and he died a few days ago, he was like a father to me and I will miss him."
"Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear of your loss Ben."
"He was very old and he is at peace now."
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"Here Ben we rescued your bag." Lance said
"Thank you," He said taking it from Lance.
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"How old are you Ben?"
I'm sixteen my lady."
"Well I have a job for you if you would like it."
"I would be most grateful, I will do anything?" Ben agreed.
"You may not be so quick to accept when I tell you what it is." she smiled.
"I am a very busy woman, and I find that I cannot give my son enough things to do when I have to attend meetings. I feel very comfortable around you, and so does Lance. So if you are agreeable, I would like you to be his personal companion."
A sense of rightness filled him as though the force approved of this union. "I am honoured that you have faith in me my lady, but don't you have a protector, or guards for Lance. That man was trying to kidnap him and he may try again?" Ben explained.
"That is true Ben… And up until now we did have all aspects of his protection covered. However, Lance will be a teenager in a few days and he's already objecting to the level of security around him. He complains all the time that he doesn't have any fun anymore."
"You want me to help him have fun?" He said grinning.
"I don't want to lock him away. He enjoys school, but says the guards scare the other kids away. He's lonely and I hope that is where you come in." she explained.
"I thought you could be a sort of big brother to Lance and keep him safe too." she said.
"We can discuss his itinerary later, and what your duties will be, but first you look like you could do with a meal and get settled into your new home. You will live on my Estate. It is in the eastern sector of the City, are you agreeable?"
"Yes my lady, thank you." Ben said happily.
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000
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He settled into an apartment on the estate and thought about one of the last things Master Durron had said to him. (Obi-Wan you will go far and make many friends in your life time and the force will always be with you and guide you. You must learn to have faith in yourself")
He wondered if his destiny was meant to lead him to Senator Mothma and Lance. He wasn't certain where this path would lead him, however he knew he was happy and he really liked Lance.
Senator Mothma was different from what he expected as well. It seemed to him that from gossip in the temple, it was common knowledge that most Jedi didn't like Senators very much. However Senator Mothma was kind and when she touched his arm it felt nice, and he sensed genuine concern from her.
Ben settled in to his position and grew very fond of Lance and his mother. He was treated almost as though he was Lance's big brother, especially when they swiped fruit from the kitchen.
The cook would chase them with a rolling pin and yell at them all the way down the garden path.
"When I catch you two, you will answer to my rolling pin," and she would shake it at their retreating forms.
"Brats" she would call out as she headed back to the kitchen smiling at their childlike antics.
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000
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Just before the senatorial elections another attempt was made to kidnap Lance. The attempt was foiled again, but this time the kidnapper was caught and he told the authorities why.
The motive behind the attempts was to make sure Mon Mothma didn't stand for re-election. Her opposing political opponent wanted to gain control in the republic and had plans to use his position to gain more wealth and influence. They had planned to hold Lance until the elections were over.
000
When Ben turned eighteen he was accepted into the Security division of the senator's guards. It was an official posting now, even though he had been the unofficial protector for the past two years.
Ben had found his calling; he was protecting the innocent and keeping the peace. He felt as though it was a worthwhile career, and he put the thought of being a Jedi out of his mind.
Master Durron said that he was destined for greatness and he hoped that his master would have been happy with the path he'd taken.
000
Senator Mothma was a high ranking senator and in her position she'd been invited to attend the signing of a trade treaty between the Trade Federation; the world of Naboo and other Trade consortiums across the republic.
The Queen of Naboo was only seventeen, but she had been groomed all her life for this position and would preside over the treaty. She was the eldest daughter of the house of Naberrie and her name was Amidala.
Ben had been promoted to sergeant of the guards and was accompanying the entourage to Naboo. He had just turned nineteen and over the last few years had established himself as a very competent and loyal subject. However his main duty was still protector and companion to Lance, who at fifteen was as tall as Ben.
He and Lance were standing together in the celebration hall, when Ben noticed two Jedi enter at the other end of the room; his heart beat faster and felt like it was going to explode when he recognised them.
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It had been six years since he'd seen them. Mace Windu was still the same bald headed distinguished looking Councillor, but Master Jinn! His hair was longer and greyer and he had wrinkles around his eyes.
Ben glanced around expecting to see Jinn's apprentice, but he was nowhere in sight. Bruck was one apprentice he hoped never to see again.
Raising his shields he stepped out of their line of sight. He assumed they were here to oversee the signing, and he had no desire to get close to or even talk to them.
"Hey Lance lets go outside, it's too stuffy in here."
However Lance at fifteen had an eye for the Queen's sister Sabè, and he wanted to stay and ask her to dance.
"I want to ask Sabè to dance with me, but I don't know what to say to her come with me and help me?"
"Don't you know her?" Ben quizzed.
"I do but the last time I saw her I was twelve, and she was just a kid. But she has grown into a beautiful girl now." Lance said dreamily.
Sabè was standing next to the Queen, and unfortunately she was talking to the two Jedi who had their backs to Ben.
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"Ok, we'll wait until the Jedi leave and then we'll go over." Ben prompted.
Eventually the two Jedi moved off to talk to other senators, so Ben nudged Lance. "Let's go, and you can introduce me to the Queen. Then I'll suggest that you and Sabè might like to dance…Ok!" Ben said, hiding the fact that he wanted to meet the Queen anyway.
"Yeah Ok," Lance agreed as they headed across the floor, towards the two sisters.
000
Queen Amidala noticed them walking towards her, and she whispered to her sister "My look at the good-looking young man heading our way."
Sabè looked. "Oh, that's Lance! Wow he's grown so tall and cute!"
"No not Lance, the other one. The strong and silent type in the uniform; Oh I do like a man in uniform." The Queen said.
"Hello Sabè, Ami, or should I say Queen Amidala." Lance said grinning.
Sabè thumped him with her hand, "Behave Lance." she giggled.
While the two fifteen year olds were making googly eyes at each other it was left to Ben to introduce him self.
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"Your Highness," he said as he bowed low. "Please excuse my boldness, my name is Ben. I work for Senator Mon Mothma, and I am Lance's friend." His eyes seemed to bewitch her, and she could not tear hers away from his.
Suddenly she realised she had her mouth open and quickly regained her composure. "Hello Ben, it's a pleasure to meet a friend of Lance's." she said softly.
It was Bens turn to be speechless; her voice was like that of an angel so soft and melodious. He was now staring at her hand which she had put out in front of her so he could kiss it. He placed his hand under hers and gently kissed the back of her smooth and petite hand.
"Lance wanted to have a dance with your sister, if you would permit it your Highness?" Ben said.
"Sabè, why don't you and Lance go and dance; the music has started and so far no one is dancing." Amidala said.
Sabè giggled. "Come on Lance want to dance."
"I sure would." he said blushing.
They took off towards the dance floor leaving the Queen and Ben gazing at each other.
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"Would you care to dance ….Your Highness?" he said finding the courage to ask.
"Yes I would love too." she confirmed with a grin across her painted face.
Ben took her to the middle of the floor and then he remembered that he didn't know how to dance.
"Oh! I am sorry your highness… I am over stepping my position, I am just a body guard; I have no right to ask you to dance with me!" he said as he tried to pull her off the dance floor.
"Nonsense….I don't care if you are a body guard. If I want to dance I will dance with whomever I please. So right now I want to dance with you, unless you don't want to dance with me?" she questioned.
Bens face went red and his eyes dropped for a moment. "Your highness, I must admit to a failure on my part." he said.
"A failure...What sort of failure?" she quizzed
"I failed to learn how to dance, your Highness." he blushed.
She burst out laughing which made him go even redder than he thought possible. Amidala realised what she had done and apologised quickly.
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"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I wasn't laughing at you. You just took me by surprise, as I don't know the last time that some one would openly admit to the Queen that they couldn't dance! I tell you what, so as not to embarrass you further, how about you step to the left one pace and then bring your right foot next to your left then do that again, and then one step to the right and bring your left foot next to your right."
Ben did as he was told and after a few minutes he was smiling and enjoying the dance. As the dance wore on Ben didn't notice one of the Jedi was coming back to speak to the Queen.
He had blocked his Force presence by tightening his shields as he had no intention of letting the Jedi sense him, but he'd been so wrapped up in the dance, he didn't notice or sense the Jedi, who was fast approaching.
The dance ended and Ben bowed to the Queen "Thank you your highness and thank you for the lesson."
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000
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"Your Highness," a voice boomed out behind Ben, which took him by surprise. It was Master Jinn, the Jedi's voice hadn't changed in all these years; he remembered that voice like it was yesterday when the master described him as a prime candidate for the dark side.
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tbc...