Before - Legends Luminous Beings reposted & continuing MESSAGE JULY22 LINK to sequel inside

I'm partial to that line myself Leona.

-------------------------

When all the food was out of the ship, there were a few people
left. One woman began to cry. Qui-Gon went to look to see of
there was some food that had been missed.

"It's all right, there really is another ship arriving soon,"
Obi-Wan told the woman. "We'll make sure you're the first in
line." The young Jedi remembered something, he reached into
his utility belt and pulled out a handful of food capsules
that he had. "This isn't much, but here, give them to your
children. It will hold them until the other ship gets here."

"Thank you young Jedi. My husband is away, and we haven't eaten
in days," The mother said. "May the Force be with you."

After that, a boy a few years younger than Obi-Wan approached.
He, like the woman, was a Madorian the native inhabitant of
Tarrimier. They were humanoid with a green tint to their skin.
They had an affinity for plants. It seemed that their skin
absorbed energy from the sun as well as from food. They needed
both to survive.

"Do you have any more food?" The boy asked timidly. "I'm
alone, no one will help me."

"We will help you," Obi-Wan said. "Wait here."

He went over to where Qui-Gon was. "Master, do you have a food
capsule I can have?"

"What happened to the ones I gave you on Coruscant?"

"I gave them to a woman with children, but I need one for that
boy." Obi-Wan pointed.

"Here are two," Qui-Gon said. "Take one yourself."

"I can wait."

"Don't give that one away, please."

Obi-Wan nodded, but he still had his stubborn streak. He made
sure Qui-Gon didn't see him give both capsules to the boy.

"Real food will be here soon."

"My name is Wren, thank you Jedi."

"Wren, my name is Obi-Wan. Can you tell me what happened
here?"

"No one knows. A few months back all the plants just started
to die."

"What about the plants on the other side of the planet?"

"That's nothing that can be eaten."

===

The next ship arrived in the morning and true to their word
the woman with children was the first to get some food; then
Wren. Once again tensions ran high. There were still some
people who did not get any, because new people had arrived
since the night before.

"We are the ones who could make it here," One man said. "My
family was too week to come here - - and people will steal any
food I try to bring back."

"How far is your town?" Qui-Gon asked.

"About twelve miles."

"My apprentice and I will go with anyone who wants to bring
food back to the people who couldn't get here."

"Whoa Jedi," a relief worker, who was an uneasy fellow said.
"You're here to protect us, and this could be a trap."

"We are here to help these people. Other Jedi arrived on the
other ship. Now that the food is gone this ship is safe. Go
back to Coruscant and get resupplied."

"Yes you're right."

"Obi-Wan lets go," Qui-Gon called and the padawan followed.
Wren

 

The rain poured down as Ganar flew towards the town. Rivers
and streams overflowed their banks; the ground became a
sloppy mess of black mud. As the Jedi had foreseen moments
before the mountains gave up their soil to the rain; it
rushed in a great wall of mud towards the town. A group of
people realized what was happening and ran in the opposite
direction. The second ship picked up this group.

Ganar flew on; the Jedi were going to get the slower, weaker
people; some still asleep in their beds. Ganar called out on
his ships speakers.

"Wake up, get to this ship, there is a mud slide headed this
way. You only have a few minutes, Hurry!"

People did rush out to the ship. A few hundred packed in.
Obi-Wan looked over the crowd to see if the people he knew
were there. He saw a few of them. Not all of them, including
the man who had given his son his food. Obi-Wan wondered if he
could walk yet, or if his small son could help him. He was
about to ask Qui-Gon if he could go get the
man, when the two Jedi Masters told Ganar they were going to
see if they could avert the slide away from the town.

"We only have about ten minutes," Soliqua pointed out. "You'll
have to take off if were not back."

"What?" Ganar was surprised.

"Ten minutes," Qui-Gon echoed. He then looked around for
Obi-Wan. 'He must be below.' They rushed out to see if there
was any possibility of making the mud slide less powerful. It
was dark, but they could sense its approach. There really was
nothing they could do. By the time they realized it was too late,
they had just enough time to get back to the ship. They got there
as Ganar began to take off. Again Qui-Gon looked around
for Obi-Wan. The sickening realization hit Qui-Gon the same
time that the wall of mud hit the town.

'No.' Qui-Gon shook his head. "No, no, no! He's done it
again," The Master bemoaned.

"Jinn?" Soliqua questioned. "What's going on?"

"Obi-Wan, he's not on this ship."

"What! That means - - "

Every nightmare scenario was playing in Qui-Gon's mind. 'If
Obi-Wan's caught in the slide, there's little hope of
survival.' Then he thought, 'on the other hand, that boy's luck
could hold out one more time.'

===

He hadn't planned on being caught in the mud slide, it just
sort of happened. That was how Obi-Wan would rationalize his
actions to Qui-Gon if he got out of this. It was a split
second decision, maybe he could say it was the will of the
Force, he felt compelled. 'Qui-Gon will never buy that one.'
He did it because he wanted to, because he COULD do it, a Jedi
could do it. He could get to the house, get the man out and
back to the ship in ten minutes.

Only now that he was being swept along by a river of mud did
he think of what it would do to Qui-Gon if something happened
to him. After he had been hit by the speeder, he had told
himself he wouldn't do anything as reckless again, and yet
here he was. This time he did not think he would make it. He

 

It had been a long day, they had all been working hard;
distributing food, setting up tents, looking for survivors.
Even thought she was tired Soliqua helped Ganar check over the
ship. They were both exhausted. Ganar sat on the floor and
took a drink of water out of the container he had on him.

"Plenty of water here," he joked, remembering when they were
on Kessel. He offered the water to Soliqua who took it and sat
next to Ganar. She took a swig and relaxed. "Aren't you glad
I'm here."

"Yes." She smiled. "Fate is strange sometimes."

"Never thought you'd be seeing a swell guy like me huh?" Ganar
posed for Soliqua.

"It's a good thing you make me laugh." She gave him a peck on
the cheek. "goof ball."

"Just as long as I'm your goof ball."

They sat there a while just holding hands and resting. As they
sat there it happened that Zaize walked by. Soliqua shot up
like a embarrassed kid, and tried to look Masterly.

"That's okay Master Soliqua, you two look kinda cute like that."
Zaize smirked and walked on.

"Wait," Soliqua called after the girl. "I wanted to talk to
you for a minute." She told Ganar she'd see him later and
caught up to Zaize.

"Me Master Soliquia?" Zai asked.

"Well I just wanted to let you know, If there was something
you felt you couldn't talk to Master Mikata about. You could
talk to me."

"There's nothing I can't talk to Aji about," The girl said
innocently.

"Your sure? You're a young lady now, and there might be things
you need to talk to another woman about."

"Master Soliqua?" The girl was turning red now. "Oh, you mean - - um I
don't think so." The girl was clearly embarrassed. "well thanks
but - - I don't think - - "

"Just remember if you need to talk, I'm around." The Jedi
Master let the poor girl get her composure back and let her
be. It was clear to her that the girl was no where near ready
to talk about or act on her feelings.

===

The next day Master Jinn was still concerned that his
apprentice had not remembered saving the man and his son. He
did not appear to have a head injury. The only thing Qui-Gon
could figure was that Obi-Wan had had a flash back or a black
out at the time. He didn't know which was worse, he never
thought he'd be wishing his Padawan had a concussion. He kept
his own fears to himself, mainly because he did believe with
time Obi-Wan would recover.

One of his fears was that if it took more time than anyone
thought, he just might not become a knight. Once again the boy
was injured as well, his physical training would be delayed.
Qui-Gon knew there was more to being a Jedi than that, he
decided to start intensively working on Obi-Wan's other
skills. The boy showed great potential for manipulation of the
Force, today he would start showing the apprentice Jedi how to
create an illusion.

"And how are you this morning - - " Qui-Gon walked in to find
Obi-Wan once more on the floor. The young Jedi had again

 

Senator Foti exited the ship more like a queen entering a
court than a government official viewing a disaster. She was
older woman, maybe mid fifties who looked as if you shouldn't
dare approached uninvited. Of course to a Jedi that meant
nothing, Qui-Gon strode up to the woman trying not to judge
her appearance.

"Senator Foti." He bowed politely. "I need to speak to you."

"Yes Jedi," Foti said with a haughty tone. "You must be Qui-Gon
Jinn, I've heard quite a bit of you over the years."

"We will talk later, now I must see what has happened here."
At least she seemed concerned. The senator walked around the
camp flanked by her two guards as if the mud were acid and the
people lepers. This did not bode well to all of the Jedi. One
word of kindness would have done so much for these people,
none came from Foti. The only thing she said was when she was
back on the ships ramp. "Unfortunate people, it is good that
the galactic government has resources to hand out."

All of the Jedi held their tongues, it was especially hard for
the young ones. Qui-Gon again approached the cold woman.
"Senator Foti, I need to speak to you."

"Tomorrow Jedi, tomorrow." She waved her hand dismissively.
Senator or no, this was not proper. "You will be my guests at
my home. If your pilot flys you over the other side you can't
miss it."

With that Senator Foti disappeared and her ship took off.

"What a b - - bi - - big hearted woman." Obi-Wan used sarcasm
to avoid calling the senator something his Master wouldn't
have liked. "How did someone like that get elected to
represent these people?"

"I'd like to know the same thing."

===

"Qui-Gon I know Master Windu gave the orders to you," Master
Soliqua said. "But I think me, Aji, and Young Zai should go as
well. I do not trust that woman."

"Nor do I. It would be better to go in numbers."

"The other Jedi can handle things here for a day."

"She is right Qui-Gon," Aji added. "We will go with you."

So Ganar flew once again to the other side of the planet. They
went much further into the lush green side this time. Rising
out of the vegetation like something out of a fairy tale was
the Foti estate. It didn't look quite like a castle but it was
huge. Qui-Gon had read on the ships info-terminal that at one
time, a very long time ago, the Foti family had been the
ruling family of Tarrimier.

When they gave up the throne it was with the condition that
this half of the planet would always belong to them. For that
the Madori people gained their freedom. The freedom to grow
what ever they wanted instead of what the Foti told them to.
For hundreds of years the Madori prospered until now. Qui-Gon
hoped it had not been a plot of senator Foti, but he could not
help but fear that it was.

===

The party of Jedi and pilot were greeted by the Senator, this
time flanked by servants. Her senatorial guards stayed with
her ship, they were no fun and couldn't be slighted the way
ser

 

"Permeant he says," Old Foti squawked when The younger told
him what Sidere said. "Hard enough to kill one Jedi let alone
five. We'll just make sure they stay until the elusive Sid
gets rid of he evidence on his side."

"You're sure the ship won't be able to fly until tomorrow."

"Yes, yes the poor little droids have met with an accident."

"I see."

As the two Foti plotted they heard a loud crash.

"You total Oaf!" It was the girl Jedi they heard. "Look what
you've done"

"Who are you calling an Oaf." It was the boy. "You big mouthed
brat."

Then there was another crash. The two young Jedi were
fighting. They could hear the hum and clash of light sabers
along with more crashes.

"Those kids will wreck our home." The senator rushed to save
her valued possessions.

"Oh yhea, well my Master could whomp your Master in a second."

Crack! Hiss!

"In your dreams."

"Children of the Jedi stop this now!" The flustered woman
shouted as Obi-wan was now being Force shoved into a large
vase on a stand. Crash! the priceless antique smashed to the
floor.

"Look what you have done."

Obi-Wan, ignoring Foti, leapt at his friend once more. The
two padawans their sabers put away, were now wrestling as the
frantic Senator tried to stop them. Old Foti stood at the top
of the stair case looking down on this display, laughing at it
all.

"So the Jedi aren't so peaceful as rumored," he said. "Of
course these are only little Jedi."

"You'd think their Masters would get down here and stop them."

The Padawans were still having fun faking to be fighting.

"Their Masters will not stop them."

"Why do you say that."

"Because their Masters are off trying to find evidence against
us. Are you so stupid that you can't see a diversion when it's
so obvious."

The Senator's face became so scrunched up it reminded the
young Jedi of Reeft. The jig was up.

"Look at the mess you have made! All as a trick! After we have
been so kind to give you shelter."

"After you have been so kind to sabotage our ship you mean!"
Zaize yelled back at her. "Never mind what you've done to the
people on this planet so you can have your little trinkets."

"Yes," Obi-Wan added. "You are a paragon of kindness."

"You little whelps! I'll show you some sabotage."

The two young Jedi ran and Senator Foti perused. As she ran
after the young Jedi, old Foti told the servants to find the
Masters and tell him where they were. The Padawan's were now
being chased past the ship. Ganar had just found his poor
droids and was going to tell the Jedi when he saw the senator
chasing the young ones. He followed the chase.

"Heay lady," He shouted hoping to distract her. "You better
watch out those Jedi are some tough kids."

"Shut up you," She yelled back.

"What did you do to my droids?"

"Me, nothing." The strange procession continued to wind on around the
grounds of the estate.

 

Obi-Wan and Zaize went back into the darkness of the tunnel
where the creature was waiting. They walked forward with their
sabers drawn. When they felt the presence of the dark side,
they started to chant the mantra that would keep their minds
clear. Over and over they repeated the simple words in an ancient tongue,
"the Force is my ally, I walk in light." It was still hard to concentrate. Every step
they took was a heavy one.

"I can see it's core," Zaize told Obi-Wan. "Try to see it."

Obi-Wan, following the instructions the Masters had given,
looked deep into the creature to find its core, it's weak
spot. He could see its history as Zaize had before. So many
dark Jedi had created it. "I see it, we'll strike together."

The young Jedi made their way avoiding the beast's defenses.
The thing still hoping to fool the Padawans Made it look like
their two Masters were right where they had to strike.

'It's not real,' They both said to themselves continuing to
chant the mantra. "The Force is my ally, I walk in light." They
knew that it was not real.

"Children how can you kill us?" The fake Masters tried to fool
them again. For a split second Zaize lost her concentration.

'Whack!' one of the creatures tentacles knocked her across the
head. She fell, but as she did she sliced off the appendage
that had knocked her down. Obi-Wan kept his concentration, and
backed up to see if his friend was all right. She was okay. and
back on her feet.

"You ready?" He asked.

"Yhea, I just have to remember their not real."

"They do seem very real."

Again the two Padawans made their way up to the creatures
core. Many tentacles waved around them. The fake Masters pleaded
that they were real, and that they should not strike.

Then the creature used it's final defense. Inside of their
heads the young Jedi could here the thing repeating their
fears.

"You'll die here. You're not worthy to be called Jedi. You're
weak. Your Master is inept, he did not train you well enough
to defeat me. I know all your secrets. All of them."

The apprentices did not let the things taunts distract them,
they repeated the mantra, their minds stayed clear. Both of
them together cut down the images of their own Masters. As
soon as they did they saw that they had cut deep into the
creatures vulnerable core. The creature was wounded but not
dead; it tried to crush the young Jedi, but they both used the
Force to push it back. It continued to writhe as its blood
drained out of it. The young Jedi knew they needed to finish
it off and make it a clean kill. Even this thing should not
suffer. They went back and plunged their sabers back into the
creature and it finally died.

As it died it released all of the dark energy that had been
stored in it. This knocked Obi-Wan and Zaize both back to the
wall that they slammed into. One last time it was trying to
kill them, but now it was too late, it was destroyed, it would
bring no harm to another being.

===

 

I'm still getting caught up! The Christmas baking has made me crazed and tired, so I'll just say WELL DONE for now!

 

I'm just glad to know you're reading VaderLVR64 The cookie baking will comence over here tommorow as well. Pies later. No secret ingedents.

Speaking of baking - - Now new readers can find out what's in that 'special' cake - -

---------------------------------

Both of the Padawans instinctively dropped their hands to their
weapons in readiness, the Masters were a little calmer in
their manner.

"Arrest a Jedi?" Ganar couldn't help saying. "Isn't that like
setting fire to a sun?"

"Jedi are not above the law sir," the officer said. "I assure
all of you, I have the proper warrants and understand that if
you wanted to get away, you could do so with out any effort. As
representatives of the Republic's judicial department I'm sure
you understand."

"I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding," Qui-Gon said. "It
will be cleared up when we get to Coruscant."

"I also was told that there is a charge of destruction of
property, but they did not say who that one applied to. Anyone
want to make things easy and tell us what happened."

Both Zaize and Obi-Wan started to step forward, but Obi-Wan
held his hand out in front of his friend to stop her, no need
for both of them to get into trouble.

< I have to go with Qui-Gon. You stay here and find out what's
really going on. >

At first Zai was taken aback, the only one who she could
usually hear that clearly in the Force was her Master. She
did not send back to him, she just nodded that she had heard.

"I'm the one you want," Obi-Wan confessed. I broke the Senators things."

Qui-Gon shook his head in disbelief, at least he wouldn't be
alone.

"Then you too will go with us to Coruscant," the officer said.
"Let's go."

"This is so stupid!" Zaize couldn't hold back any longer.
"They didn't do anything! Those people have destroyed a whole
planet and nothing has happened to them; they're behind this."

"Miss, it's not my job to do anything about that. My job is to
bring in who ever the Senate, and the Chancellor I might add, tell
me to. Someone else may realize as soon as we get there that
it's a mistake. Gentlemen lets go."

"Sir, should I disarm the prisoners?" a young officer standing
behind the one in charge asked.

"Don't be stupid Lt. Tarkin, do you really think we'd be able
to?"

===

As soon as the ship taking Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan back to
Coruscant was gone Zaize lost her composure. She rushed to Aji and
cried into his cloak.

"They'll be all right," Aji said. "The Council must have been informed.
Everything will be straitened out."

"I know that." The girl cried harder. "That's
not what I'm crying about." She sniffed back. "I was
going to be so mean to Obi-Wan, on his birthday no less, and
he, he had to go and be so noble. The jerk! Now I feel
like - - "

She suddenly stopped crying and ran to where she had left the
six tiny birthday cakes. Ganar had already eaten two,
including the one with the special ingredient.

"Don't tell me you ate those."

"Well they

 

Thank you for supper."Qui-Gon stood and bowed. "Perhaps it is
time I and my apprentice returned to our accommodations."

"If you think that's best," Captain Hariti said. "Good evening
Jedi."

Obi-Wan stood, bowed, and followed his Master who headed
back to the quarters they were in. Kenobi thought Jinn had to
have a plan. He couldn't just be going back to the room; He
was. Obi-Wan wanted to search the ship. Qui-Gon knew they
would find nothing.

"Perhaps," Tarkin said to Hariti. "We should actually put some
guards on their door?"

"What fun would that be, there is nothing on this ship to link
us with Senator Foti or Mr. Sid."

"What about back on the planet. Why didn't we take the other
Jedi."

"We're trying to stall them. What better way to stall them
than by separating them."

"How better? How about just killing them?"

"Too obvious Lt., Have some creativity," the captain advised.
"It should be as large as your ambition young man."

===

'Slop' 'Splash' "OWH!" 'Swish' 'Cringe' 'Shiver'.

"Yu-uck." Zaize winced as she carried out her punishment.
"This is so gross!"

No matter how hard she tried the young Jedi could not keep the
water in the sponge from splashing on her clothes. Her task
was prolonged by her having to stop when ever someone wanted
to use the facilities, adding to her embarrassment. Muddy feet
kept messing up where she had already cleaned.

'This is never going to be spotless.' Perhaps her Master
already knew this.

She became even more discouraged when a sick kid came in,
did not make it to the right place, and barfed on the floor. At
that point Zaize knew the sponge and bucket were not going
to be enough to do the job. She went to find a hose. When she
returned, she found that the one she had acquired only reached
from the outside connection to a few feet inside the door.

Zaize had found a broom as well, she used it to push the
offending material out the door where she obliterated it with
the hose. This left more mud at the door. It seemed the harder
the girl tried to clean it the worse it got. Now her boots
were soaked, her tunic filthy.

"What ya' doin'?" Aayounger girl, who had walked in asked.

"Trying to clean this place."

"Not doin' such a good job, huh?" The girl, around ten years
of age, said truthfully without an ounce of sarcasm. "Can I
help?"

"No, I'm being punished," Zaize explained. "Why would you want
to ?"

"You're a Jedi, right? The Jedi have helped us so much," the
Madori girl said. "I guess I'd like to help a Jedi."

All of Zaize's resentment of her punishment drained away.
These people had been through so much, her ordeal was nothing
in comparison.

"If you want to help, go around the camp and see if there are
any towels that people are willing to part with. Twenty should
do it."

The girl rushed off, but was back in seconds. "I forgot I had
to go - - "

Zaize waited outside t

 

When Qui-Gon awoke, Obi-Wan had fallen asleep. Qui-Gon was
relieved that the boy had at least gotten some sleep. Even in
sleep Qui-Gon could see the worry on his Padawan's face. He
was going to have to do something he hardly ever did - - talk
about his feelings. If he did not speak up, how could he
expect Obi-Wan to. They would be landing soon, as much as he
wanted to let Kenobi sleep, he knew if he didn't clear this up
now it would only fester.

Qui-Gon sat on the edge of the bed where Obi-Wan was sleeping.
He saw something that gave him a little hope. The boy was
clutching the rock the Master had given him on his birthday
two years before. Unconsciously Qui-Gon placed his hand over
the hand and the rock.

Obi-Wan woke up with a startle. Before he realized where he
was and who was there a look of panic crossed Obi-Wan's face.
That look pained Qui-Gon deep inside his being.

If he had not seen that look, he had been prepared to wake his
apprentice with some snappy remark like, 'Your mouth fully
functioning today?' He was a wise enough man to know that was
not the thing to do.

"It's all right Obi-Wan," he said in a soothing tone. "It's only
me."

"Are we landing?" Obi-Wan asked after he was really awake.

"In a short while. I wanted to talk to you before we did."

"Talk Master?"

"Yes talk. I was hoping to start this day off on a better note
than last night. Obi-Wan, I know it was stupid and selfish of
me to not confide in you yesterday. I hope you can forgive
your Master for being a creature of habit."

"Of course Master, it's not every day I hear you admit to
being stupid, that is a treat in itself."

"You're sounding like your old self." Qui-Gon could feel a slight
shutter in Obi-Wan's presence. "What?"

"Master, I'll never truly be my old self again."

"Don't say that."

"No Master, I have to say that because it's true. The old
Obi-Wan died; The new one may look the same, but it will never
BE the same."

"You sound like you're just giving up on yourself."

"No Master, that's not what I mean. You wanted me to talk, so
I'm going to talk. Something was taken away from me, something
I can't explain, but I know it's gone." Obi-Wan saw the
sadness in his Master's eyes. " You don't need to worry though
something else has replaced it."

"I don't know what to say to you about this Obi-Wan. I know
that part of the blame is mine."

"No Master, you could not leave your duties; I would never ask
or expect you too."

"I don't mean about not going after you right away." The
Master saw a puzzled look on the Padawan's face. "You never
would have gone to that ship if I had trusted you. You would
have never told any one where we were hiding the witness; I
should have known better. I am supposed to be the Master. If I
had brought you with me, they could have never taken your
innocence from you."

"I will not insult your feelings by denying that I had thought
that a little, but Master most of the

 

Sorry about the wait; holidays.
-------------------------------

Qui-Gon sat patiently in his cell. He meditated, trying to feel
what was happening. The night before he had dreamed that
Obi-Wan had been accused of killing someone after the ship
landed, just who he wasn't sure of. He just hoped that the boy
had listened to him this time and gotten to the Temple in time
to have an alibi. Qui-Gon had been allowed to contact the
Temple when he first arrived, that was when he told Yoda to
expect Obi-Wan.

Qui-Gon still could not tell what exactly what was happening.
The events taking place were shrouded in a cloud of darkness.
He did not see people playing out the hideous actions, he saw
it as an image of a wild predator taking down defenseless
prey, for reasons other than survival. That was what
was projected out into the Force. If he wanted to see what
really happened he would have to look deep into the dark side
of the Force. That he did not want to do, he'd seen enough
grizzly things in person to want to see it in a vision. He
knew there was something evil out there, what it really was he
would never know. At that time no one could imagine that it
was a Sith.

A few hours after he had seen the vision, the court officials
let Master Jinn go free. It seemed that the Foti's had never
been missing from Tarrimier. It seemed while Master Jinn had
been locked up Old Foti had had a heart attack and died, and
Senator Foti had wondered into the lower levels where someone
had murdered her. They were sure it was not Qui-Gon Jinn.

"Master Jinn I'm sorry to have to ask you this - - " a security
chief asked, "Can you account for your apprentice's
whereabouts?"

"As a matter of fact, I can," Qui-Gon answered. "I am sure that
if you contact the Temple they will verify that he has been there
for sometime now."

Jinn still didn't know for sure if Obi-Wan had listened to him
this time.

"I hope for his sake he got there before the time of the
Senator's death."

'So do I,' Qui-Gon thought.

"I will accompany you to the Temple to speak with the head of
the Jedi, and the boy on this matter."

"Of course," Qui-Gon replied and they left for the temple.

At that same time, at the Senate building word was spreading
like wild fire about the horrible murder of Senator Foti, as well as
a rumor that a Jedi apprentice might be involved. Most did not
believe the rumor, but young Jedi had broken away from the
Temple and gone on rampages before, of course they were no
longer Jedi then. There was that one that had become a bounty
hunter they recalled, something Sing - - Then again in the
lower levels it need not be an ex-Jedi student to be a killer.

When Senator Palpatine heard the news he was appropriately
shocked and appalled, publicly. In his private thoughts he
liked what it was that they were saying, those that had seen
the body, it was as if she had been mauled by a wild animal - -
Yes that was it Maul, that would be a good name for the boy.

===

It

 

Glad you're still here Healer Leona.I know the lurkers are out there too.
---------------------------

When Qui-Gon caught up to the Padawans he found the Dreslian,
Reeft, sitting against a wall crying; his friend Garren trying
to calm him down; and Obi-Wan pacing.

"Boys I need you to tell me the name of the leader of that
bunch," The Jedi Master said.

"Vargis, Master," Obi-Wan answered. "His name is Vargis."

"You know he does not belong here, he will never become a
knight."

"Are you going to go to our Masters, Master Jinn?" Garen
asked.

"I intend to go to the council."

"We'll be kicked out for sure," Reeft lamented.

"No you won't," Qui-Gon reassured. "I do have to ask you two a
question you may not want to answer. Have you done anything
that has broken the code of being a Padawan?"

"No sir we have not," Garen said with no uncertainty in his
voice.

"What gave those boys the idea that you had?"

"They heard us - - we," Garen got his courage and told the
Master what the others had heard. "Sir we haven't seen each
other in almost a year, we were making a promise to each
other, about when we're older. You see we do have certain
feelings for each other."

They both looked at Obi-Wan to see his reaction. It was not as
bad as they thought it would be.

Reeft finally spoke, "We both
want to be knights Master Jinn, we don't want to be thrown
out - - "

"You can't be thrown out of the temple for feelings," Qui-Gon
told the boys. "You do need to have courage to become knights,
the kind of courage it will take to speak to the council and
make sure Vargis can not continue to fool his Master. His kind
of cruelty and hatred are the first step on the path of the
dark side. If you have not broken the Padawan code, you have
nothing to fear."

No one made a sound for a while.

"We will talk to your Masters later, and go to the council
tomorrow," Qui-Gon said. "For now I promised to take Obi-Wan
and his friends out for his birthday. Do you think we should
keep that promise?"

As worried as they were, Qui-Gon had put their minds at ease
some.

"We'll be eating right?" Reeft asked.

"It's Obi-Wan's birthday of course we'll be eating."

"Then I think you need to keep that promise," the Dreslian boy
said wiping his worried tears away.

"If we are still Obi-Wan's friends," Garen said.

"Of course you're still my friends. You always will be."
Obi-Wan made his Master proud again. He knew there was room in
the order for all kinds of people. "Can we go, I'm starving."

"As soon as Garen and Reeft tell their Masters where they are
going."

===

The rest of Obi-Wan's birthday was actually fun for him and
the three other young Jedi. Qui-Gon may have not enjoyed where
they ate, but he even let loose when he took the Padawans to an
amusement center where he even joined in some of their antics.
Most of the games of skill that they played were easy for the
Jed

 

Authors note : The next story arc is my FAVORITE.
__________________________________________________


When Qui-Gon learned what had happened, he was not surprised. He
and Obi-Wan would be returning to Tarrimier in the morning. He
could not resist the urge to looking on his Padawan. Qui-Gon
went down the few doors to Obi-Wan's chambers, he could sense
that the boy was sleeping. Not wanting to wake Obi-Wan,
Qui-Gon quietly opened the door and peeked in.
Obi-Wan looked peaceful as he lay snuggled up in his own
covers. It was past midnight now.

'Obi-Wan has been fifteen for two whole days,' Qui-Gon
thought. 'In three years he'll have to face the same test.
What will I do if he doesn't pass it? No I can't think like
that, Obi-Wan is a good kid; Got to work on that temper like
Mace said.'

Qui-Gon wondered, did he really know his Padawan's heart? He
was sure that Lady Helios thought she knew Vargis'. The Master
closed his eyes and could see an older version of Obi-Wan. A
confident, maybe a little cocky, but a wise, caring young man;
One who may not have understood everything his old Master was
trying to teach him, but one who was always willing to learn.
Qui-Gon liked what he saw, one day his boy would be a man, one
day the Padawan would be a knight.

Once he was satisfied that all was well with his apprentice,
Qui-Gon closed the door, went back to his own chambers and
for the first time in a while slept peacefully.

===

In the morning Obi-Wan was happy that he and Qui-Gon were
going back to Tarrimier. All in all, he was in a good mood. He
had not yet heard what had happened to Vargis. Figuring that
it would be back to food capsules when they got to their
destination, he was going to indulge in one of his favorite
things, eating.

The young Jedi had a smile on his face and a lit in his step,
he was even humming a tune. He did not even notice when he
passed Lady Helios in the hall. Seeing Qui-Gon's apprentice in
such a good mood just galled Vargis' Master. The knight knew
better, but she felt compelled to speak.

"Pretty self satisfied." A hand clamped down on Obi-Wan's
shoulder. "Aren't you Kenobi?"

Obi-Wan quickly turned, knocking off the hand, and looked to
see who it was. He had a puzzled look on his face.

"So innocent aren't you?" Helios scowled.

Obi-Wan bit his bottom lip in a nervous second. "What do you
mean Mama?"

"You going to celebrate with your friends?"

"Celebrate what?"

"Like your Master hasn't gloated about it to you."

"Lady Helios, I don't know what your talking about. I was just
going to get breakfast."

"And you're not so happy because Vargis has been kicked out of
the Temple, and is going to end up in the agri-corps."

Obi-Wan could not hide a slight smirk, but it only lasted a
second. "I didn't know that. In the council meeting they said
he wasn't."

"I hope you're all happy now." The knight walked away.
"You got what you wanted."

It was not a matter of what he

 

"I can see one way Scrapper is like you," Qui-Gon said. "He's
got a great appetite."

"Are you trying to tell me something Master?"

Qui-Gon chuckled. "It's a good sign that he does, it gives him
a better chance of surviving."

Qui-Gon could see Obi-Wan shiver, then set his face to the
expression that meant he was determined to do something.

"Of course he's going to survive."

"He's been hurt real bad."

"But he's going to be all right, I'm going to make sure he's
all right." He continued feeding Scrapper.

Qui-Gon went to say something like, 'you know that thing do not
always go the way one plans.' But Aji made a gesture only
Qui-Gon could see shaking his hands low, shaking his head,
raising his brows and saying 'no' with his eyes. Then the old
Master made a head movement off to the side signaling for
Qui-Gon to follow him a ways away to talk where Obi-Wan could
not hear them.

"What are you doing?" Qui-Gon whispered.

"Heading off a disaster."

"You don't think I should try and get him to see the reality
that the animal could die?"

"He knows that. If you will listen to your old Master, he'll
tell you; One can't always tell a Padawan everything.
Somethings they need to find out on their own."

"And when was it that you didn't tell me what was what?"

"Never, but I have a feeling about this." Master Mikata went
on to tell Qui-Gon of how when he was where the animal healers
had all the other animals, he had seen something. As soon as he
saw the cub he saw Obi-Wan.

"So you didn't pick him because of the family resemblance?"

"You're getting to be quite a wise mouth in your old age."

"I don't want Obi-Wan to get hurt again, if he gets too
attached to Scrapper, and then have something happen."

"Stop Qui-Gon; do you hear yourself? You are listening to your
fears."

"My fears are based in reality."

"Am I talking to Qui-Gon Jinn? Listen Qui-Gon, listen to what
the Force is telling you."

Qui-Gon stopped worrying and listened. * Two who understand each
other - - * the Force whispered, * - - Will free each other. *

From the look on his face, Aji could tell that Qui-Gon had
heard the will of the Force. He was not sure what the fate of
the cub was just yet, either way the lesson was Obi-Wan's,
not his.

"While I'm taking advice form my old Master," Qui-Gon started
again. "What do I do when we're supposed to be helping with
the plants?"

"While he has other duties, I'll watch the cub."

The two Masters went back over to where Obi-Wan was. Scrapper
had finished the entire bottle, one eye dropper at a time. When
he was done, he yawned and stretched out on his soul brother's
lap. He yawned again and let out a burp. Obi-Wan laughed. "What
a little pig."

Scrapper didn't mind that Obi-Wan had just called him a pig,
he licked the boys face making Obi-Wan laughed again. "That
tickles."

===

"Um, Obi-Wan," Master Mikata

 

Zaize had to give the baby grazer one more bottle, and there
were several nerfs that were waiting for their Master to find
them. She put some straw out for them. The other wild animals
weren't as injured as Scrapper, but were being kept until the
animal healers said they could be let go. They were mostly
small and furry tree dwellers. The girl Jedi gave them their
food as well.

Obi-Wan gave the baby linaxus his bottle of formula as well.
It would not be too long before he would need something else
to eat. For now no one was thinking of that, only that they all
wanted the little critter to live.

===

Night was falling, Master Mikata thought it was time to go
back to the ships. That meant Scrapper had to go back into his
cage. This time Obi-Wan was too tired and hungry to argue,
besides that he had an idea of his own that he thought best if
no one knew about. So the three Jedi returned to Ganar's ship.
It was another round of food capsules for everyone.

Everyone had put in a full days work, sleep was what was
utmost on their minds. Zaize had one more thing on her mind.
After the fiasco with Ganar and the cake, she had thought of a
better birthday gift rather than laxative laden sweets. It
had cost her all the credits she had saved up, but she thought
it was worth it.

After everyone was settled into the rooms they had picked out
while they stayed on Ganar's ship. Zaize knocked on Obi-Wan's
door, she handed him a package not to well wrapped.

"What's this?" He asked.

"A late birthday present."

The boy could not imagine what it was and opened it. Inside
was a pair of boots like the ones the camp ladies had made for
Zaize. She had paid them to make a pair for Obi-Wan too.

"Their beautiful, and mine just happen to be disgusting right
now. Thanks."

"What no argument of how you can't accept them?"

"Nope," Obi-Wan said sitting on the floor and trying on the
gift.

"Don't go jumping into any mud puddles with them, right."

"I don't plan on it."

"Happy birthday Kenobi." Zaize left knowing Aji would be along
any time to make sure she did anyway.

When he was sure everyone was asleep, Obi-Wan put his old
boots on and slipped out of the ship He made his way back to
the animal shelter, and released the prisoner. He snuck
Scrapper into the ship, into his room. That night the baby
linaxus slept curled up next to Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan had not thought out his plan very well because in the
moaning he and everyone else were awoken to the hungry cries of
"MEROW!"

"Meeerrrow!" The little cub swatted at his adoptive parent's
sleeping face. Then Scrapper kept crying as Obi-Wan slowly
came back into consciousness. "Megrowl."

"Yhea, yhea I hear you." Then it dawned on Kenobi everyone
else heard him too.

"Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon questioned from outside of the door. "I
know that's not you making all that noise," the Master kidded.

"No Master."

The Padawan opened the door,

 

"Just what makes you think you can teach a Linaxus to hunt?"
Qui-Gon Jinn questioned Obi-Wan Kenobi. "When you don't know
the first thing about it."

"That's not true Master," Obi-Wan protested. "Sort of - - I know
how to track."

"There is more to hunting than tracking. You have to catch
what you're tracking. You're going to have to teach Scrapper
how to kill, are you prepared to do that?"

"If it gives him a chance to be free." The look the apprentice
gave the Master, one of for longed hope, told Qui-Gon he should
not argue. Obi-Wan was going to do what he was going to do.
"Aji can help, his people are great hunters."

"You know that in four months the crops will be ready to
harvest, and our mission here will be over."

"So you're telling me I only have four months to teach
Scrapper to hunt."

"Four months, that's it."

"Then we'll have to go in front of the council again - - "
Obi-Wan said woefully. "So they can figure out if I got all my
marbles back, and am fit to go on a real mission."

"This is a real mission."

"Yes Master."

"I wish you would let up on yourself."

"In four months we'll both be ready Master." The boy ignored
Qui-Gon's wish.

"This can't interfere with your other duties."

"Yes Master."

"When Scrapper gets too big, which will be soon, he's going to
have to stay in the new cage the animal healers brought."

Obi-Wan scrunched his face up but still said, "yes Master."

"And if it doesn't work, you will not moan and groan about
Scrapper having to live in captivity."

Obi-Wan looked at the ground.

"Will you Padawan?"

"Yes Master."

Qui-Gon then changed his tack and asked a question Obi-Wan
was not thinking of.

"Why is this so important to you Obi-Wan? Aren't you the one
who tells me I spend to much time on strays and pathetic
life forms?"

Obi-Wan had that determined look in his eyes again. "Scrapper
is not a pathetic life form, he is a noble being."

"One worthy of your attentions, I see." Qui-Gon worried about
Obi-Wan's habit of ranking just how worthy something was. He
knew the truth was that his Padawan had attached his recovery
to the recovery of the cub. Scrapper's freedom was Obi-Wan's
freedom. This could be just what Kenobi needed, or a disaster.
All the Master could do was wait and let this thing play out.

===

Vargis thought a week in the mountains alone was going to be
easy. He had been on many planets much harsher with his
Master. He was not far away from the camp when his curiosity
got him to look at what was in the pack that Tudan had given
him.

Seven food capsules - -. 'That's it?' Vargis thought to himself.

A position tracker, in case he got so lost, they could find
him. A heavy poncho for cold nights. A water container with
just enough for survival. A lighting tube, and that was it.

'I'll show you Master Sprout. I'll be just find, think I'm
going to break, and come

 

"Friends, yhea friends," Obi-Wan covered. He didn't know why
he had kissed Zaize's hand, just that it felt like the right
thing to do.

"Well, uh, I better get back to what I told Master Mikata I
was doing or he'll be on my case again - - I can't help feeling
there is something going on with you and Qui-Gon, maybe you
should talk to him." The girl Padawan disappeared out the door.

"Easier said than done," Obi-Wan said to Scrapper as he
scratched behind the cubs ear. "It's a lot easier to talk to you
than Master Jinn, but Z is right. Qui-Gon doesn't know why I
yelled and ran off, it's not his fault."

Obi-Wan thought about what had just happened. "So what did you
think of that smooth move Scrapper? Think I scared her off
good? I can't even tell when a girl just wants to be friends.
Better than nothing I guess. I didn't even know I wanted
anything more until I kissed her. I guess I better forget
about that."

----------

"Believe it or not, that's the problem," Qui-Gon told Aji. "I
know Obi-Wan is different than I was; and because he's
different, I've let that boy get closer to me than anyone in a long
time. He's made me change. None of this would hurt me as much
if it was anyone but Obi-Wan."

"The only cure for that kind of hurt is understanding. You can
not understand if you are here and he is there. Go talk to
him, don't let him brood."

"Even if he doesn't want to talk to me?"

"I feel that he does want to talk to you, desperately, but
something is stopping him."

"I have to trust you Master, you always seem to know what is
in people's hearts."

"Because I always listen to the voice of the Force."

===

Obi-Wan blocked out all of his problems and started play
wrestle with Scrapper. "Gerrr," he growled at the cub. "I'm
going to show you how to pounce now, you watch."

The young Jedi grabbed a pillow and threw it on the floor.
Scrapper did not want to wait to see what Obi-Wan was going to
show him. He just went over to the pillow and started chewing
on it.

"Scrapper wait, come back here." Obi-Wan pulled Scrapper away
from the pillow by his hind legs, sliding him on his belly
along the floor.

"Sneak up on it, like this." The boy demonstrated on all
fours, creeping up and then pouncing on the unsuspecting
pillow. "See? Now you."

Scrapper may not have understood the words, but he understood
Obi-Wan. The little linaxus backed up as far as he could,
putting his back end up, and his front end down. He slid his
paws back and forth as if revving up, focused on his target.
The little beast burst forth in an energetic manner and, just
like his teacher had done, pounced on the pillow.

Claws and teeth sank into the synthetic victim. Then Obi-Wan
grabbed the pillow. Scrapper, refusing to let go, went for
a ride around the room's floor. Kenobi found the whole thing
humorous and laughed as he pulled the cub around in circles on
the pillow. It was easy to forget his troubles when he w

 

When Vargis awoke it was midday, the sun was now beating down
on him, drying the mud to his face and clothes. He tried to
remember what had happened. 'Lighting, I was struck by
lightning.' He had not forgotten the visions the Force had sent
to him, just what had happened before he saw them. He was also
becoming aware of the fact that it stunk to be alone. There
was no one who was going to come looking for him. There would
be no help out there. With the little strength he had, Vargis
dragged himself back to the outcropping of rocks where he had
left his pack.

It was the first time in his life he had even thought about
what he had done to the other young Jedi at the Temple. The
thought of it now made him weep. 'What have I done? I thought
I was following the ways of the Jedi. I heard everything the
Masters were teaching, yet I never listened.'

* Listen now. *

Vargis now knew it was indeed the voice of the Force that had
been speaking to him. Now he would listen. He sat up in a
meditative kneel and tried to remember everything he had
ignored before. He remembered the things that the Masters at
the Temple had tried to teach him. The things he thought were
silly, and only the weak needed to follow. He now saw how
close to the dark side he had been walking.

The ex-Padawan also knew it was too late to go back to being
what he had been. What was it the Force wanted him to do if
not be a knight? Instead of asking, he listened.

* The one in touch with things that grow, can teach you more
than you think. *

That was not what Vargis wanted to hear, but he was not about
to argue with the power that had sent the lightning down on
him. He knew that when the week was up, he would do what ever
Master Tudan wanted him to do.

'Why didn't the Force just let me fall to the dark side? What
can it see in me?'

* That is your choice. You have not chosen to turn to the dark
side. Do not toy with it if you have no intention of turning
to it. *

A shiver of fear ran up Vargis' back. Indeed he had never
intended to turn to the dark side, he feared it too much. Now
he had to relearn how to embrace the light.

------------------

The Turning point
-Denean

- - Has the truth been cast aside?
Thus it may appear, so
convincing by demand
but crouching within the darkness. is the light
-------------------

The same afternoon the Jedi Padawan's were back at their
duties. This not only included helping the agri-corps kids
with sending the Force to help the plants grow, but helping
the Madori kids who were still around spread fertilizer
around.

"This smells so gross," Zaize commented. "What is this stuff?"

"You don't want to know." Obi-Wan had already heard what it
was.

"Yes I do. I want to know what I'm walking in." It was a good
thing they were wearing gloves when she found out what it was.

Wren told her, "it's mynock droppings."

 

Obi-Wan hated the each time he had to put Scrapper in the cage.
When he could not go with them to do their work, Scrapper
slept. When Obi-Wan arrived to let him out, the cub was
more than ready to go. He always greeted the Jedi boy with a
purr and he rubbed his face against the bars before he was let
out. The shelter had been set up so that Scrapper didn't know
that the animals he might eat were on the other side of the
wall. That was where Zaize and Aji were feeding the other
critters that had not been let go yet.

Raw meat always made Obi-Wan a little queazy, but he knew that
was what predators like the linaxus ate. He couldn't get it
out of the cooling unit fast enough for his furry friend.

"Merow!" * Hungry. * Scrapper nudged Obi-Wan as he got the cubs
food. It seemed that Scrapper was packing away an extra pound
of meat every four or so days. The cub was now three feet long
and a foot and a half high. He was getting big. He still
looked like a huge stuffed toy, but some of his cub spots on
his hind quarters were beginning to fade.

"Slow down," Obi-Wan told Scrapper as he snapped up the pieces
of meat the boy held out for him. "You're going to mistake my
hand for one of those one time."

* Scrapper never bite friend. *

"I hope not." Obi-Wan could feel the strength in the animals
muscles, even at such a young age if he had wanted to hurt a
human, Scrapper could have shredded one, or any other sentient
being for that matter.

===

On the other side of the shelter Zaize was feeding the grazer
she had been taking care of. She wondered why her Master had
left the ships with her and Obi-Wan. He had not been down to
the shelter for a while, the two young Jedi had everything
under control.

"Master what are you looking for?" the self conscious teen
finally asked. "I don't think you have to check my feed
dumping technique."

"I'm not checking up on your work Padawan, I'm waiting."

"Waiting for what Master?"

"Do you have to notice everything?"

"Yes, someone taught me to be observant."

"I need to talk to your friend, alone."

"Not about me?"

"No, about what he's not telling his Master. He hasn't said
anything to you has he? Qui-Gon is really worried about it."

Zaize sighed in relief. "No Master, he hasn't told me
anything. I still know he's hiding something - - a feeling - -
Like he wants something and doesn't want it at the same time;
like he doesn't deserve whatever it is. His feelings have been
very hard to read lately. They are all over the place."

"Yes, I'm not surprised."

"Z!" They could hear Obi-Wan call from the other side. "Are
you going to go running with us?"

"I think he's finished feeding Scrapper. I think I have a good
excuse to show up. Let me talk to him alone."

"Yes Master."

Obi-Wan was just about to call out to his friend again when
her Master showed up.

"Zaize is still feeding her charges. I want to see how you're
doing wit

 

Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn knew what his old Master had told him
was true. Qui-Gon did not want to look into his heart, he did
not need to. He knew what was there; something he regretted
deeply; something that made him feel guilty about what had
happened to Obi-Wan. It was not just that he had to do his
duty and wait to rescue his Padawan, there was something else;
A thought that he had had kept well hidden ever since they
were on the planet of the Nokeri.

How could he tell Obi-Wan what he had thought when he first
knew that the boy had disobeyed him again. He knew he had to;
he had to tell Kenobi and ask for forgiveness or he would
never have a clear conscious again. Obi-Wan was not the only
one who had not been telling the most important person in his
life everything he should have. So they were even, he guessed.
In the morning, even if Obi-Wan did not talk to him, Qui-Gon
would have to tell his apprentice everything. All he could do
now was wait.

In the woods it was getting dark. Obi-Wan had already picked
out a spot for him and Scrapper to sleep. He kind of wished he
had more than his cloak to keep him warm, then he remembered he
had Scrapper. His furry friend would keep him warm as he
slept. From the spot he had chosen Obi-Wan could look down at
the ships. As the lights went out, he wondered what everyone
was doing. Were they telling jokes and stories, were there
other people thinking about the future that night? He thought
about all the people he knew down there, back at the
temple, and on Mon Calamari too. Still, the one person who meant
the most to him was the man who would show him how to be a
knight, and what it meant to be a man.

Before he fell asleep, Obi-Wan had made up his mind that no matter
what, he had to tell Qui-Gon what the dark creature had made
him think. He also had to be honest about the fact that he was
not quite so ready to be completely grown up yet. He still had
the emotions of a boy, so from time to time his Master would
have to remember that.

The night would not pass in total peace. Just at the time when
light can first be seen, before the sun rises above the
horizon, Obi-Wan was awakened by a cracking sound, and a growl.
He opened his eyes knowing right away that there was a very
large animal very near to him and Scrapper. He tried not to
move fast but he wanted to see the creature who's presence he
had felt. He peeked around the tree they had slept behind, and
saw what it was. A bear native to Tarrimier with a
particularly nasty reputation.

The bear also saw Obi-Wan, and charged. Instinctively Obi-Wan
hurled the energy of the Force directly at the bear, who
looked as if he had just ran into a wall when it hit him.
Obi-Wan was lucky, that was enough for the bear to want nothing
to do with the human. Maybe it was best to get back to the
ships now.

Scrapper had another idea. As soon as the bear charged he was
Growling, ready to defend Obi-Wan. When the bear ran off
Scrapper was right on his tail.

"No Scrapper wait!" Obi-Wan

 

"Come on Kenobi open it up!" Zaize shouted as they hovered
along the road. "Faster."

"Hold your bantha's," Obi-Wan shouted back as the breeze
smacked his face. "You should know better."

"Oh really?"

By now they were beyond the rise of land that the camp and the
ships were on.

"Yes, you should know better that you have to wait till we're
out of sight to do that, so stop whining." Obi-Wan floored the
accelerator and the land speeder hit 90.

"Woo hoo!" Zaize stood up in the passenger seat, bracing
herself into the wind. "Faster Kenobi!"

"You're nuts, Sit down!" Obi-Wan slowed down the speeder.

Zaize flopped back down into the seat. "I bet I can get this
thing to go faster. I'm driving on the way back."

"Who says?"

"Me, and you're going to stand up."

"No I'm not."

"It's not that hard - - " Something else got the girl Jedi's
attention. "Look at that." She pointed out a place off the
road where two large rocks made a narrow passage.

"A land speeder can't do that."

"We'll see."

"I'm not going to let you get behind the controls if you think
you're going to try and bank a land speeder. Besides that we'll
dump the load if we do."

"Then let me show you now."

Obi-Wan didn't believe she could or would do it, so to prove
to her that she couldn't do it, he stopped the speeder
abruptly.

"All right show off." He climbed over to the other side. Zaize
did not hesitate to get behind the controls.

"You don't think it can be done?"

"No, I don't."

The speeder bucked off towards the rocks that were miles away.
The speed that Zaize was going at made the distance short. The
closer they got the more evident it was that the speeder was
not wide enough to go through.

"We're gonna be flattened!"

"No we're not. Hold on tight Kenobi."

"You ARE nuts! Shut down!"

Just seconds before they should have hit rocks and jammed the
speeder in-between, seconds before they should have been thrown
from the speeder, possibly killed, Zaize used the Force to
cut all the repulsers on the passenger side. As the petrified
Obi-Wan held on for dear life he found his face a very short
distance from the ground rushing past. The speeder banked, and
they fit where they never should have.

When he realized what she had done and that they were not
going to die, he had to be impressed. The once the speeder
passed out of the narrow way it flattened back out. "Can't be
done?"

"I didn't know that's what you were going to do."

"Your turn." By now they were back in front of the passage and
in position to go again. Zaize stopped the speeder.

"You proved your point."

"Don't you want to try it?"

Of course he did. "You are going to get me in trouble one
day." Obi-Wan climbed over to the controls and repeated the
same maneuver his friend just had.

"Yes!" Zaize cheered in approval.

"You ever fly Aji's ship like tha

 

When Zaize got back to the ship she was thinking of nothing
but what Obi-Wan had said about the mirror, and his laughing
at her. She was not one to worry about how she looked
usually, but she knew Kenobi had done something. When she saw
the huge black smudge across the side of her face, 'Yuck'
was the first thing that came to mind. She knew what the grease
and grime off of a star ship had in it besides oil. The first
things that came to mind was bug guts, and mynock droppings.
Now they were on her face. At first she was furious, then she
remembered why Obi-Wan had wiped her face. He was wiping away
her tears.

She couldn't stay mad for long, when she thought of it that
way. They had both pulled enough real pranks on each other for
her to see, it had been a mistake. She changed her mind again
when she could not wash off all of the black smudge. "Oh
great." It was now only a shadow of gray but it could not be
missed. "Kenobi!" She muttered to herself.

The other thing on her mind was how she had gotten credit for
doing something she had only done to conceal what had really
happened. Zaize was very close to her Master; around him,
she was not a very good liar.

"Padawan let's practice some of your telekinetics." She could
hear Aji calling, "where were you earlier?"

"Feeding the animals, you know that," She called back from the
wash room.

"The entire time?"

"I helped Kenobi teach Scrapper too," She said when she came
out.

"That was good of you to help - - " Aji couldn't help miss the
blotch on his apprentice's face. "Padawan what is wrong with
your face?"

"These thing happen."

"That looks like, like something scraped off of a ship - -
Obi-Wan didn't do that as a joke because he was being
punished?"

"No Master."

"I thought you two were going to keep your jokes to ones that
were not so mean."

"He didn't do it on purpose Master."

"But he is the one that got that gunk on your face, is he
not?"

"Yes Master but - - "

"Maybe he needs more punishment duties to keep his mind off of
practical jokes."

"No Master, really."

"It is good of you to defend your friend, but he has to be
more responsible, like you've been."

That was it, Zaize, who hardly ever cried, was crying again.

"What's wrong child?" He asked, wiping her face much like
Obi-Wan had earlier.

"You've got it all wrong Aji. Kenobi only did just what you
did, but he was all dirty from the ship."

"And why would he have to wipe tears off of your face, what
did he do that made you cry?"

"Nothing Master, I was crying because of what I did. Or what
you think I did, but I only did it for selfish reasons."

The Cathar's face wrinkled up in confusion. "I have no idea
what you are talking about."

"I didn't fix that speeder to help the relief workers out."
Zaize looked to gage her Master's mood. "I was trying to hide
it, I did it because I tho

 

By the time the two Padawans reached the animal shelter, Zaize
had given up on catching Obi-Wan. She was still fuming, but
figured she had started it. All she wanted to do now was feed
the animals, get her food if it was still edible, and get
cleaned up. Still for good measure she pounded on the door of
Scrapper's side of the shelter.

"I'm going to be waiting for you Kenobi!" Obi-Wan was to busy
laughing to take her threat seriously. "And I get to eat real
food!"

* Food. * That was all Scraper needed to hear. * Feed me time. *

Obi-Wan did not delay in getting the bottomless pit his meat.
He had learned by now not to let the cub out of the cage
before feeding him. In a few more days he'd need to go get
more. That gave him an idea about what they could do for
Master Soliqua. He wasn't about to tell Zaize about it just
then. He'd wait till she was calmed down first.

As he walked to the cage to feed Scrapper and realized that all
the feathers were still on the floor. While Scrapper ate
Obi-Wan swept. He figured that feathers were bio-degradable,
so he swept them right out the door. The wind took the mass of
down up and around to the pen where Zaize was feeding her
animals. A few of them stuck to her. Slowly she walked back up
to where the other Padawan was obliviously sweeping.

"You did that on purpose Kenobi!"

"Did what on purpose?" He still hadn't seen her.

"You know what."

"No, I don't."

"Well just look."

Obi-Wan sighed and went out to see what Zaize meant. He saw
the feathers, he also go a look at something he was sure she
didn't want him to see. He turned around, she still didn't
know why.

"Don't turn your back on me Kenobi."

"Z, I think you need to go get changed." He avoided looking at
her again.

"No kidding genius. I'm filthy and disgusting thanks to you."

"That's not why." He didn't know if he was lucky or
embarrassed, he felt a little bit of both. "I can't believe
you didn't notice."

"Notice what?"

He kept his back to her but she could see him silently
giggling. "I'm sorry Z, really, I had no idea - - "

"What's so funny? Why do you keep turning around?" She
maneuvered her way in front of him still clueless. Obi-Wan
kept averting his eyes. Then he'd look back and laugh. "You
looked the same way this morning, what is so funny?"

"I didn't look quite the same as you."

"Are you going to tell me why your acting all weird?"

"Um - - Well - - I can kind of - - I can sort of - - " He turned
red faced and snickered. He had to just come out with it. "Z, I
can see right through your tunic."

"WHAT!" "YOU - - "

Obi-Wan was waiting for the whack he knew he deserved, instead
Zaize was running back to the ship. He knew one way or another,
he was going to pay for this one. Somehow he thought, 'it might
have been worth it.'

* Play. *

Scrapper was calling. At least Obi-Wan used some of his brain
to see if Zaize had finished p