The Dark Rival

3

Obi-Wan Kenobi woke, but did not stir. Keeping his eyelids almost closed, he stole a glance at Qui-Gon. The Jedi Master stood at the window. His back was to Obi-Wan, but the boy could tell by the tension in his muscular stance that Qui-Gon was brooding again.

Obi-Wan itched to ask Qui-Gon what he was thinking. His mind had been jumping with questions since they’d landed on Bandomeer. What had changed Qui-Gon’s mood from serenity to agitation? Was Qui-Gon going to include him on the Jedi’s mission as Guardian of the Peace? Had Obi-Wan proved himself a worthy candidate for Qui-Gon’s apprentice?

Since leaving the Temple only a few days before, Obi-Wan had been shot at with blasters and strangled by a Hutt. He had tangled with Togorian pirates, fought off giant flying draigons, and piloted a huge transport vessel through heavy laser cannon fire. But apparently, he had not done enough to impress Qui-Gon.

If only he could hold on to the serenity he had been taught at the Temple. He knew that as a Jedi pupil, he should accept what life offered him with calm. But his position was so maddening! He had completed his Temple training, but no Jedi Knight had chosen him as an apprentice. On his thirteenth birthday, it would be too late. And that was only three weeks away!

It seemed that his destiny was to be a farmer, not a warrior or peacekeeper. Obi-Wan had thought he had begun to accept this, but it was hard. He couldn’t help but feel that a different path was his destiny.

Obviously, Qui-Gon didn’t think so. Although Obi-Wan had saved the Jedi Knight’s life, Qui-Gon acted as though Obi-Wan had merely done him a friendly gesture, like helping him fix a broken lock. Obi-Wan’s loyalty and dedication were received by Qui-Gon with polite acceptance, nothing more.

Qui-Gon turned slightly, and Obi-Wan studied his profile. The Jedi Knight’s worry and preoccupation filled the room along with the growing light. It had begun after Qui-Gon had received that note. Qui-Gon had passed it off as a greeting from an old acquaintance. But Obi-Wan didn’t believe him.

Still gazing out the window, Qui-Gon suddenly spoke. “You should dress. It’s almost time for the meeting.”

Obi-Wan sighed as he threw back the light blanket. He hadn’t moved one muscle, yet Qui-Gon had known he was awake. The Jedi Knight was always at least two steps ahead of him.

Why didn’t Qui-Gon tell him what was wrong? Was it the message, or was Qui-Gon tired of Obi-Wan?

Obi-Wan wanted to blurt out the question. But one of the Jedi’s most serious rules was not to cross-examine a Master. Truth can hold great power. Therefore the decision to share it must be weighed. Only the Master could decide on revelation or concealment, according to the greater good.

For once, Obi-Wan was glad of a rule that restrained him. He was afraid of the answer to the question he wanted to ask.

Obi-Wan followed Qui-Gon into the governor’s receiving room. He was surprised and encouraged that Qui-Gon had invited him to the meeting. Perhaps it meant that the Jedi was reconsidering whether to take him on as apprentice after all.

Obi-Wan was expecting a lavish chamber, but there was only a circle of cushions on a bare stone floor. Bandomeer could not afford to impress guests.

SonTag, the governor of Bandomeer, entered the room. Her silver hair was cropped in tufts in the Meerian style. Her dark gaze calmly rested on the Jedi. Like all of the Meerians, she was small. Obi-Wan towered over her. The Meerians’ small stature had made them great miners.

She held out both hands, palms up, in the Meerian way. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan repeated her gesture.

“Greetings and welcome,” she said softly. She indicated the younger woman to her left. The younger woman’s cropped hair was also pale silver, and her silver eyes blazed at them across the room. Although she was standing quietly, her energy seemed to send a vibration through the air. “This is VeerTa. She is the leader of the Home Planet Mine.”

The Jedi greeted VeerTa in the same fashion. They had been briefed about her. She was a fierce patriot who had been instrumental in forming the Home Planet Party. The party goal was to replant the once fertile fields of Bandomeer, as well as control its resources. The first step was to end dependence on off-planet corporations for financial support. To that end, VeerTa had gone into partnership with the Arconans in the cooperative mine.

SonTag indicated the cushions that the Jedi should sit on and took her own seat. Slowly, SonTag and VeerTa’s cushions rose in the air so that they were at eye level with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.

“I’ve asked VeerTa to join us today because we are both confused by your presence,” SonTag began. “Although we welcome you, we must admit we are surprised. We understand that the Agri-Corps has requested help. But we did not.”

Qui-Gon looked startled. “But the Temple received an official request from the government of Bandomeer for a Guardian of the Peace. I have the documentation.”

“I’m sure you do,” SonTag said firmly. “But I did not send it.”

“This is very strange,” Qui-Gon murmured.

“Nevertheless, we are glad you are here,” VeerTa said crisply. “We have our doubts that Offworld Corporation will allow us to operate freely. Let us just say that the corporation has a history of making competition disappear.”

“I’ve seen how they operate firsthand,” Qui-Gon responded. “I have to agree.”

Qui-Gon’s voice was neutral, but Obi-Wan knew how deeply the Jedi disapproved of Offworld practices. On the journey to Bandomeer, Obi-Wan had been shocked at how openly Offworld used intimidation, threats, and outright violence to keep control of their employees. Jemba the Hutt had deprived a group of Arconans of the precious substance that kept them alive. He offered a brutal choice: to work for Offworld, or die. He even laughed in their faces as they grew too weak to move.

“Then you’ll understand why we’d like to have a Jedi representative at our first meeting with Offworld,” VeerTa said. “Your presence will ensure that everyone plays fair.”

Qui-Gon bowed. “I’ll be happy to contribute what I can.”

Excitement rose in Obi-Wan. Obviously, the meeting ahead would be important. The future of a planet was at stake. Plus, since the Home Planet group was in league with the Arconans, he would probably get to see Clat’Ha and Si Treemba again. He’d made friends with both of them on the journey to Bandomeer. Surely Qui-Gon would want him present at the meeting.

“My companion will be traveling to the Eastern Enrichment Zone,” Qui-Gon said, indicating Obi-Wan. “Can you arrange transport for him?”

Obi-Wan barely listened to SonTag’s agreement. Stirrings of anger began to flutter underneath his frustration. While Qui-Gon would be involved in saving a planet, he’d be watching plants grow! He would be a farmer, after all.

He’d held on to a hope that after their adventures reaching Bandomeer, Qui-Gon would cancel Obi-Wan’s original mission. Obviously, Qui-Gon still didn’t believe he could become a Knight. He would send him off to farm before taking him as a Padawan!

Obi-Wan struggled with his anger. Master Yoda had told him that often anger wasn’t about another person, but about himself. “Close your mouth and open your ears, you must,” Yoda had said. “Then hear what your true heart is seeking, you will.”

Well, right now his true heart was seeking to scream out his frustration.

Qui-Gon extended his hands, palms up, then flipped them over, palms down. It was the farewell gesture of the Meerians. SonTag and VeerTa repeated the gesture. Nobody seemed to care what Obi-Wan did, so purposefully, he did not acknowledge their parting.

Obi-Wan’s lack of courtesy was a severe infraction for a Jedi pupil. But Qui-Gon didn’t say a word as they walked through the residence halls and out the main door.

The air chilled Obi-Wan’s flushed cheeks as he and Qui-Gon paused on the steps. Obi-Wan waited for the older Jedi to reprimand him. Then he could tell Qui-Gon how he wanted to remain in Bandor. He could line up his reason; he could argue that Qui-Gon needed his support.

“Those seeming not to notice you usually do,” Qui-Gon said, looking out into the distance. “They choose not to show it. Or they have greater concerns on their minds. It is no reason for discourtesy.”

“But I—”

“I see that your discourtesy sprang from anger,” Qui-Gon continued. His voice was soft and low, as it usually was. “I will ignore it.”

Angry words sprang to Obi-Wan’s mind. If you’re choosing to ignore it, why are you mentioning it?

Qui-Gon looked at Obi-Wan directly for the first time. “You will not, under any circumstances, intervene in any situation regarding my mission, or take any action, without contacting me.”

Obi-Wan nodded.

Qui-Gon’s gaze swept the mine towers of Bandor. “Things are rarely what they seem,” he murmured.

“That is why I wish to—” Obi-Wan started.

“Come,” Qui-Gon interrupted sternly. “Let’s get your things. You must catch that transport.”

He strode off briskly. Obi-Wan followed more slowly. He saw his chance of being a Jedi Knight dissolve in the cold, gray air.