Star Wars - [Jedi Apprentice 09] - The Fight for Truth (by Jude Watson)

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Jedi Apprentice
#9
The Fight For Truth
by
Jude Watson
.lit by DrB 11/04
The darkness was total. Not even a hint of light penetrated the hood. Sound was muffled. Obi-Wan
Kenobi balanced on his feet, kept his lightsaber in a defensive position, and concentrated. Without sight
or clear sound, he had to rely completely on the Force.
He moved to the left, whirled, and struck with his lightsaber. It slashed through empty air. Yet he knew
he'd been close. Off to his right, he heard a buzzing sound, and the clatter of metal hitting the floor.
"Point, Siri," Obi-Wan's Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, said quietly.
Obi-Wan felt a trickle of sweat move down his neck. The hood was hot from his warm breath. He
gripped his lightsaber harder. His opponent in this training exercise was Siri, another Jedi apprentice. She
had already destroyed two seeker droids. He hadn't felled one.
"Remember your purpose, Obi-Wan."
He heard Qui-Gon's steady counsel. Even though Qui-Gon couldn't see his Padawan's face, he knew
that Obi-Wan had lost his focus. The purpose of the exercise, Obi-Wan knew, was cooperation. It did
not matter how many seeker droids he destroyed or how many were taken down by Siri. They would be
judged on how they worked together. They would have to read each other's intentions through
movement, instinct, and the Force. They would have to be generous, reaching out to each other to reveal
their intentions.
But how could he reach out to someone who fought only for herself?
Siri focused on the enemy and ignored Obi-Wan. A skilled, graceful fighter, she was single-minded in
her purpose. Every particle of her being was focused on victory. It made her one of the best lightsaber
fighters in theTemple . Even though she was eleven - two years younger than Obi-Wan - she had fought
in his classes.
Faintly, he heard Siri's soft footsteps behind him, and heard her foot slide as she lunged. Another buzz,
another clatter of metal.
"Good footwork, Siri," AdiGallia called.
Obi-Wan gritted his teeth. Adi had only recently taken Siri as her Padawan. She had chosen Siri
because of the girl's extraordinary promise. Now Siri was proving her value, showing up a more
experienced Padawan - Obi-Wan.
Frustration and irritation surged inside him, driving out his connection to the Force. Obi-Wan listened
intently for the slight stir in the air that the seeker droid caused. He heard the sound, whirled to his left,
and collided with Siri.
"Opposite corners," Adi rapped out. "Begin again."
Obi-Wan moved back to his corner. He rubbed his palm along his tunic. His hands were perspiring,
and his lightsaber almost slipped. Dropping it while fighting alongside Siri would be humiliating.
He wished he had Qui-Gon's patience. He still had so much to learn. Try as he might, he could not
penetrate Siri's devotion to the exercise. It was her battle, her challenge. There was no room for him.
They started forward again. Obi-Wan moved slowly, reaching out to the Force to tell him where the
seeker droids were flying. He heard another clang as a seeker droid hit the floor.
"Trust your partner as well as the Force," Adi called. "Aggression and competitiveness have no place in
this exercise."
Obi-Wan felt Siri move slightly nearer to him.
Yet he still felt nothing from her. Another seeker droid hit the floor, and Obi-Wan's irritation crested
and drove out his caution. He reached out, ignoring Siri.
Buzz, clang! A seeker droid hit the floor as he dropped to one knee and made a horizontal sweep. He
rolled to his left, then swung upward. Clang! Another droid hit the floor. Why should he wait for Siri's
cooperation while she destroyed all the droids herself? He would look like a fool.
Obi-Wan twisted, lunged, and attacked again. He heard Siri's breathing and the whisper of her quick
footwork as she did the same. Within minutes, the two of them had destroyed every seeker droid in the
room.
Obi-Wan felt a glow of satisfaction as he removed his hood. They had defeated their opponents in
record time. Siri threw back her hood and pushed her golden hair behind her ears. Her vivid blue eyes
blazed with satisfaction. They bowed to each other, then turned to face their Masters.
"You have both failed the exercise," Qui-Gon said sternly.
Adi rose, her garments rustling. Her tall stature and air of command made her an intimidating figure. She
drew Siri aside and began to speak to her in a low tone. Qui-Gon tossed a towel to Obi-Wan so that he
could wipe the perspiration off his forehead.
"I know you can fight," Qui-Gon told him. "You've proven yourself in battle after battle. That was not
the point of the exercise, Padawan."
"I know," Obi-Wan admitted. "But she--"
Qui-Gon didn't wait for him to finish. "Siri has her own strengths and weaknesses. That was for you to
discover. You merge with the strength, cover the weakness. Together, the two of you are stronger."
"Siri did no better than I did," Obi-Wan said. He knew he sounded sulky, but he couldn't help himself.
It was Siri who had changed the rules of the exercise.
"Siri is not my Padawan," Qui-Gon said sternly. "We are speaking of you. Remember, Obi-Wan, the
fear of looking like a fool is never a reason to do something. Or not do it. It is a fear born in weakness."
Obi-Wan nodded. He knew better than to continue to challenge Qui-Gon. At least they would soon be
leaving. He would not have to repeat the exercise with Siri. Yoda had informed them that he was sending
them on a mission.
Just then Yoda entered the training room. He tucked his hands inside his robe, waiting for them to face
him.
"A summons we have received," he said. "Parents have contacted the Jedi. Think they do that their child
might be Force-sensitive. Kegan, the planet is. Are you familiar with this world?"
He asked the question of Qui-Gon and Adi. Both Jedi Masters shook their heads. Obi-Wan was
surprised. Between the two, they had traveled an extensive amount.
"Remote Kegan is," Yoda said. "A one-planet system orbiting one sun. It is an Outer Rim planet, cut off
from the galaxy. Trade agreements, they do not have. Travel to other worlds, they do not do. Outsiders,
they do not welcome. No one has landed on the planet in thirty years."
"That is very unusual," Qui-Gon observed.
Yoda blinked. He had lived long and seen much. There was not much that could surprise him. "A good
sign this request may be," he said. "Think we do that by taking this step Kegan means to open up
relations with the Inner Core worlds. Welcomes this, the Galactic Senate does. Relations between
worlds fosters peace. So two parts, your mission has. Open relations with Kegan we must. Determine
the child's potential we must as well. A planet that isolates itself can be filled with suspicion and fear.
Diplomatic you must be. Disruption you must not allow."
Yoda looked at Adi and Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan was confused. Was he sending the two Jedi Masters
instead of a Master-Padawan team?
"Two teams we have decided to send," Yoda said.
"You mean all of us?" Obi-Wan blurted in dismay.
Yoda ignored his tone. "Cooperate you must to complete the mission."
Cooperate with Siri? Obi-Wan wanted to cry. He'd need more than the Force to accomplish that! Why
two teams? Obi-Wan wondered as Adi piloted their craft toward the surface of Kegan. The mission to
identify a Force-sensitive child was fairly routine.
Did it mean that the Council was still looking over his shoulder?
After he had left the Jedi for a short time, Obi-Wan had been put on probation. He had used the time to
deepen his study of the Jedi path. The probation had been lifted, and he was once again an official
Padawan learner. But did the Council still withhold their trust?
Over the past months, the process of repairing his ties with his Master had been satisfying for both of
them. They had spent much time at theTemple , and also had roamed the galaxy together, observing
other worlds and customs and helping when they could. Their bond had grown stronger.
Had the Council not seen this? Why were they paired with Adi and Siri?
"Landing in three minutes," Adi announced, breaking into his thoughts.
Obi-Wan stole a glance at Siri. Her face was passive as she gazed over the countryside below. She
looked completely calm, but perhaps she hid nervousness well. Obi-Wan remembered how anxious he'd
felt before his first mission. It was a new experience to leave theTemple and be thrust into the sometimes
rough and violent galaxy. Obi-Wan leaned closer.
"Landing on a planet for the first time can be confusing," he told her. "There's usually so much to see that
it's hard to focus. But in the first few minutes you can learn many things."
She didn't turn, but kept her eyes on the approaching landing platform. "I never lose my focus,
Obi-Wan. Or my commitment."
The words felt like a slap. Obi-Wan leaned back again, his face flushed. Siri had been furious with him
for leaving the Jedi path. She had accused him of undermining the commitment of all Padawans by his
decision. She implied that her commitment to the Jedi was stronger than his.
It wasn't fair. He had taken one misstep. His Master and the Council had forgiven him. Why couldn't
she?
The craft slowly lowered onto the landing platform. Obi-Wan saw a group waiting for them. Both the
men and women wore tunics similar to the Jedis'. Adi activated the ramp, and they disembarked. A man
and a woman stepped forward immediately to greet them.
"Welcome, Jedi visitors," the woman said in a pleasant tone. She was of middle years, with a broad
face and curly gray hair that framed her ruddy cheeks in a frothy cloud. "We are the Hospitality Guides,
here to introduce you to our world and make sure you're comfortable. I am O-Rina and this is V-Haad."
Her companion smiled and bowed. He was tall and balding, with warm dark eyes.
The Jedi bowed in return, and Qui-Gon introduced them. "We were called here by two of your
citizens."
The younger couple stepped forward. "I am V-Nen and this is my wife O-Melie," the man said. "We
are the parents of O-Lana."
The woman's eyes studied them, then looked down. She seemed nervous, as did her husband. No
doubt they were worried about the approaching examination of their child.
"The child is at their dwelling," V-Haad said. "We will transport you there. Please follow."
The Jedi followed the Guides and the parents to a battered-looking landspeeder. Obi-Wan had never
seen such an old model in use. He wondered if it would be able to start.
The repulsorlift engine fired up with a worrisome clatter, but it ran perfectly. As they sped over the
rugged ground, Obi-Wan looked around curiously. They were traveling along one central unpaved road
that curved around a low wall. Inside the wall were domed structures. The landspeeders parked outside
looked as ancient and battered as the one they were riding in.
"There is but one city on Kegan, and we are all its keepers," O-Rina shouted over the noise of the
engine. "The rest of the planet is used for food and animal cultivation. There are large areas of open
space. We are passing theTech Circle right now. Kegan is divided into circles for each area of work.
TheTech Circle leads into theCommunication Circle , which leads to theStudy Circle , which leads to
theGarden Circle , and so on. They all ring theGathering Circle , where we hold meetings. We are
heading now to theDwelling Circle ."
A shadow passed over them, and Obi-Wan looked up. A skyhopper zoomed overhead, an old model
he wasn't familiar with.
"Perhaps you are amazed that our transports are still running," V-Haad said to him with a chuckle.
"Here on Kegan we do not destroy, we reuse. OurTech Circle is expert at keeping old technology
functional. We have no need for the newest models."
"Do you have currency here?" Adi Gallia asked in an interested way.
V-Haad shook his head. "We are a barter economy. Everything belongs to the General Good. We may
give up great riches here, but we have no crime. I would rather live peacefully and safely than with worry
on my shoulders."
"It seems a good philosophy," Qui-Gon agreed. "Do you have a system of government?"
"We have Benevolent Guides, V-Tan and O-Vieve," O-Rina said. "They were the first to devise a new
way to live here on Kegan. They have anAdvising Circle , but they guide rather than rule. We are all
given a voice. Everything is adjusted for the General Good."
Obi-Wan had to admit that the system seemed to work on the surface. Perhaps because Kegan was a
tiny planet with a small population, it managed to avoid the strife of other worlds. As they sped by,
people lifted their heads from their tasks to wave and smile. They all seemed busy and happy.
Still, he noticed something strange. "I don't see any children," he said to the Guides.
"Children are precious here," O-Rina told him. "Education is very important. They are sent to school at
an early age to learn and explore. Ah, here is theDwelling Circle ."
V-Haad piloted the craft through a break in the wall and guided it to a penned enclosure where a few
battered landspeeders were parked. They walked toward one of the many domed buildings that curved
around the core in a spiral. Each building was connected to the next.
V-Nen opened the door and stood aside to let them in. The small room was furnished simply but
comfortably, with low benches piled with thick cushions.
Qui-Gon turned to V-Haad and O-Rina. "Thank you for bringing us here. We would like to examine
the child alone with the parents."
"Oh, of course, we understand your procedures," V-Haad said.
"But we cannot follow them, so sorry to say this," O-Rina added. "O-Melie and V-Nen have asked us
to stay. They are nervous with outsiders."
Qui-Gon looked at the parents kindly. "There is nothing to be nervous about. We will simply tell you if
your child is Force-sensitive. If so, we will explain what that means and what can be done, should you
wish it."
V-Nen and O-Melie exchanged glances. O-Melie swallowed. "We wish for the Hospitality Guides to
stay."
V-Haad and O-Rina smiled. "You see? You must not think of us as outsiders in this house," O-Rina
rushed to assure them, "Everyone on Kegan is part of the same family. This is true, O-Melie?"
"Yes," O-Melie said.
Suddenly, O-Rina and V-Haad's smiles seemed fixed to their faces, as though what was inside did not
match their friendliness. A small trickle of warning snaked through Obi-Wan. He had learned to trust that
feeling.
Something was wrong here. Things were not what they appeared to be. V-Haad and O-Rina had
seemed to welcome them, but Obi-Wan had a feeling they were not happy the Jedi were here. Not at all.
Qui-Gon didn't trust V-Haad and O-Rina from the start. Despite their wide smiles, they gave off a
sense of unease that he could not attribute to being unused to strangers. And why were there Hospitality
Guides when the planet allowed no visitors?
He nodded at them anyway, meeting their friendliness with his own. "Of course you may remain if
V-Nen and O-Melie wish it," he said.
"There are exceptions to every rule," Adi said graciously. She, too, no doubt knew that it was better not
to aggravate the situation by insisting.
"I'll get O-Lana," O-Melie said shortly. "A neighbor is watching her." She hurried from the room.
She returned in a moment with a small bundle in her arms. The child was close to a year old. She
looked up at Qui-Gon with a bright, inquisitive gaze. He held out a finger. She grabbed it, then pulled it to
her mouth and gnawed on it gently.
"Ah," Qui-Gon said. "I see." He studied her for some minutes, evaluating her reactions and expressions.
Finally, he gave a short nod.
"You've reached your conclusion so soon?" O-Rina asked, her smile a little tight.
"Yes, I have," Qui-Gon answered. "She is definitely hungry."
O-Melie and V-Nen broke into relieved smiles.
"O-Yani can feed her," O-Rina suggested. "That way we can all talk."
"O-Yani is the child caregiver for this dwelling quad," V-Haad explained to the Jedi. "There is one for
each quad in each dwelling circle so that parents may still work or have time for themselves. Our child
caregivers are the wisest and best among us."
O-Melie took the baby from Qui-Gon's arms. She disappeared into the other room.
With only a quick glance at Adi, Qui-Gon knew that his fellow Jedi Master had also picked up what he
had: O-Lana was Force-sensitive. But how deep the Force ran was something they needed more time to
discover.
"Let us sit down," Adi suggested. "While the child is feeding, we can explain more about why we have
come so far to see her."
O-Melie and V-Nen sat down on a cushioned bench opposite from the Jedi. V-Haad sat on one side
of them, O-Rina sat on the other. As though they are guarding them, Qui-Gon thought.
"If O-Lana is strong in the Force, her powers will become more apparent as she grows," Qui-Gon
began. "These powers should be nurtured and directed. When they are not, the child can become
confused and frightened."
V-Nen and O-Melie leaned closer, their eyes on the Jedi.
"No one is frightened on Kegan," O-Rina said firmly.
"The General Good is strong. O-Lana will be supported by us all,” V-Haad added.
Adi spoke up. "TheTemple on Coruscant is a place where a Force-sensitive child can learn not only
how to control her gift, but how to let it guide her and connect her to all things."
V-Haad nodded, smiling. "Excellent! The Jedi Order sounds very wonderful indeed. We have Guides
here that show us how to connect."
Adi stirred impatiently. Qui-Gon quickly stepped in.
"If O-Lana is a special child--"
"Ah, here I must interrupt you," O-Rina said, her smile beaming gracious friendship at Qui-Gon.
"O-Lana is special, yes - but only as each Keganite is special. V-Tan and O-Vieve have taught us all that
the Guide Within is powerful in each of us. No one is any better than another."
"We are not saying that O-Lana is better," Adi said. Qui-Gon could hear the impatience she was
struggling to control. "We are saying that the Force will set her apart. The Jedi path will show her how to
connect to the galaxy and to others."
V-Haad beamed. "Ah, now I see! A wise and just path, I'm sure. But O-Lana will have no need of this.
Here on Kegan, each Guide Within unites and forms the General Good. It would be wrong to remove
O-Lana from the circle of General Good, as the circle would diminish and O-Lana would be raised to
believe she was special. This is against the counsel of the Guides." V-Haad and O-Rina nodded and
smiled.
Slowly, V-Nen and O-Melie nodded, too.
Qui-Gon understood Adi's frustration. V-Nen and O-Melie seemed to be listening intently, but they
were not given a chance to react. Instead, the Hospitality Guides were doing all the reacting and talking.
This was precisely why the Jedi preferred the first interview to be with the parents only.
He knew that despite their interjections, V-Haad and O-Rina had not truly listened to a word the Jedi
had said. They had asked no questions about the Jedi path, or about O-Lana's abilities. If it were up to
them, this child would never leave Kegan.
Qui-Gon focused on V-Nen and O-Melie. "If O-Lana is strong in the Force, you need to fully
understand what that means. She might be able to move objects, or see things before they happen. Such
things can frighten a young child."
"Not on Kegan," O-Rina said cheerily. "Our Benevolent Guides themselves, O-Vieve and V-Tan, have
visions. We have learned to trust them. Their visions of the future have guided the present, creating the
General Good."
Qui-Gon exchanged a quick glance with Adi. They had to get the parents away from the Guides. That
was clear. But they also had to be mindful of Yoda's directive. They could not bring disruption to this
planet. They must respect the Kegans' way of doing things.
The Hospitality Guides suddenly stood. "That was an excellent meeting,” V-Haad said. "I'm so glad to
hear of the wonderful Jedi way."
"And we are sure you are tired from your journey," O-Rina added. "We will show you to the quarters
we have for you. There will be plenty of time for more discussion."
"Unless you must go," V-Haad said. "We know how important the Jedi are."
"We can stay as long as V-Nen and O-Melie want us to," Adi said firmly.
"I have a request," Qui-Gon said. "We would like to walk to our destination. We did have a long
journey, it's true. We'd like to stretch our legs and see more of your beautiful planet."
The two Hospitality Guides exchanged glances at this unexpected request.
"Of course," O-Rina said, reluctance coloring her usual bright expression. "If you would like that..."
"We would," Qui-Gon said firmly. "And of course we would enjoy the company of V-Nen and
O-Melie as well. It will give us a chance to get to know one other."
The Guides could not refuse. O-Melie and V-Nen went to ask their neighbor O-Yani if she could
continue watching O-Lana.
"The baby is sleeping now," O-Melie said quietly as she slipped back inside. "We would be happy to
walk with you."
The Guides and O-Melie and V-Nen went out. Under the cover of adjusting his cloak, Qui-Gon turned
back to Obi-Wan and Siri.
"Leave us and wander off when you can," he said in a low tone. "Do it without being seen. The Guides
will come after you. Avoid them. You can use the time to gather information about Kegan. Do not cause
disruption or upset. Remember, observation without interference. Do not reveal that you are Jedi."
Obi-Wan and Siri nodded, their expressions alert.
Qui-Gon saw Adi's worried look. He thought he understood. They would cause a disruption. A minimal
disruption, and worth the risk, in his opinion. But Adi might not think so. He was not used to having to
ask another Jedi Master to approve a course of action. He waited, his eyes on her, to see if she would
object.
As he waited, Qui-Gon wondered again why Yoda had sent two teams to this planet. Had Adi been
sent in order to monitor his tendency to follow his instincts and bend the rules? Was she meant to oversee
how he and Obi-Wan worked together?
And if she did not approve of his suggestion, what would he do?
But Adi nodded. "This had better work," she murmured as she stepped out into the bright sunlight.
"Tell me, V-Haad and O-Rina," Qui-Gon said as they walked through the streets of Kegan. "I see that
you have solved many problems that other worlds have not. Why don't Keganites travel to other worlds
and share knowledge with them?"
"We have no need to," V-Haad said. "We have what we need for a good life here. And travel can be
dangerous. The galaxy is a violent place. If we traveled it would encourage others to travel here. That
could bring danger to Kegan. You can't deny that there is violence throughout the galaxy."
"No, I cannot," Qui-Gon agreed. "But there is also trade and an exchange of knowledge."
O-Rina and V-Haad merely smiled and shook their heads.
摘要：

    JediApprentice#9 TheFightForTruth by   JudeWatson .litbyDrB11/04          Thedarknesswastotal.Notevenahintoflightpenetratedthehood.Soundwasmuffled.Obi-WanKenobibalancedonhisfeet,kepthislightsaberinadefensiveposition,andconcentrated.Withoutsightorclearsound,hehadtorelycompletelyontheForce. Hemove...

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