Obi-Wan made his way through the streets to the homespace. In the back of his mind was a voice that reminded him that he hadn't been entirely honest with the Freelies, either. He hadn't told them he was a Jedi.
But I was acting for the good of the planet, he told himself. I was trying to bring everyone to a peaceful solution.
This all felt much like the situation on Melida/ Daan, Obi-Wan realized. When Obi-Wan had joined the Young, he was certain that he was doing the right thing. But in the end he was not sure that the Young were on the right path. And it had not taken him long to know that leaving the Jedi order was not the right path for him.
At first glance, the situation here on Vorzyd 4 seemed totally different from the one on Melida/Daan. Harmless, really. But now Obi-Wan could not see many differences. And the similarities were screaming in his ears.
The arguing Freelies. The explosions. The inability of the generations to talk openly together.
Worst of all, Obi-Wan knew, he was no longer in a position to help.
The kids didn't trust him. And why should the adults believe someone who had been keeping secrets from them all along?
Not sure what else to do, Obi-Wan headed back to his room at the retirement complex. He had not been there long when Qui-Gon arrived.
Obi-Wan knew his Master was concerned about him — and probably the situation as well. With a sigh, he began to tell him all that had happened.
"Someone must have tipped off the adults," Obi-Wan began.
Qui-Gon nodded. "I did not say anything, as I promised I would not,"
he said. "But I did overhear the building maintenance team reporting a disturbance to Chairman Port. They were acting on a tip."
Obi-Wan had not suspected that Qui-Gon was responsible for the intrusion, but was glad to hear his Master confirm that he was not.
"A group of adults stormed the secret meeting," Obi-Wan said. "But ore of the kids, Flip, dropped a smoke capsule and led everyone to safety."
"He was well prepared for just such an invasion," Qui-Gon said pointedly.
Obi-Wan nodded. "I thought that at the time," he said. "Perhaps he was the informer. It seemed too simple. But much more has happened since then…."
Obi-Wan trailed off. It was getting difficult to look his Master in the eye. He felt responsible for the state of the situation between the kids and adults. Once again he had the feeling that his instincts had been all wrong.
"Go on," Qui-Gon said gently. His eyes were full of empathy. But somehow that didn't make Obi-Wan feel any better. In fact, it made him feel worse. He didn't deserve understanding right now. Things on Vorzyd 4 were worse than when they'd arrived.
And it was all his fault.
Chapter 17
Qui-Gon could see that his Padawan was struggling. He was tempted to push him further to see if he would open up, but knew that was not the right choice. What Obi-Wan needed was a bit of time, just as Qui-Gon himself did on occasion.
The room in the retirement complex was quiet for several minutes.
Then Qui-Gon spoke.
"I think we should go outside and spar," he said. "It has been too long since we did lightsaber training together."
Qui-Gon was hoping that the physical activity would help his Padawan release some tension — and piece things together in his mind. Regardless, focusing on something entirely different would be a good change of pace.
Obi-Wan seemed reluctant as they exited the building. But once he was outside and facing his Master, his eyes flashed with an intensity that surprised Qui-Gon. The young Jedi ignited his lightsaber, and Qui-Gon did the same.
The two Jedi circled each other slowly with their lightsabers raised, as if in a dance. Obi-Wan moved gracefully, his eyes locked on Qui-Gon's.
It was as if he were challenging him to do something, to make the first move.
Qui-Gon did. He brought his lightsaber down in a powerful strike — once, twice, three times. Obi-Wan was there to block each blow. The graceful arcs he made with his blade were confident and accurate. His eyes never left his Master's face.
Qui-Gon suddenly realized that his Padawan's lightsaber skills had improved significantly in the past months. His physical energy was exceptional — young and true. Obi-Wan was fighting like a Jedi Knight.
Not to mention trusting his instincts, Qui-Gon thought wryly. He suddenly had the feeling that one day the boy would beat him. And that such a day might not be so far away.
The two Jedi dodged and weaved with incredible speed, their ignited blue and green blades blurs of energy in the Vorzyd night. But behind them pulsed something even stronger-Jedi will. Obi-Wan wanted to be treated as an equal, Qui-Gon knew. But while he had grownup a lot in the last four years, he was only seventeen. He still had much to learn.
With each stroke, Qui-Gon pushed Obi-Wan farther back. It was not terribly difficult. But even as he advanced on his Padawan, Qui-Gon had the feeling that Obi-Wan was allowing him to do it — that the Padawan was somehow in control.
He was. In a flash of blinding green light Obi-Wan swung, ducked, and turned. His blue eyes flashed and a small smile turned up the corners of his lips. He now had the upper hand.
Qui-Gon was accustomed to this kind of haughty strategy coming from an enemy. But it was slightly unnerving to see it in his own Padawan learner. And yet it had worked.
As if picking up on his Master's thoughts, Obi-Wan stepped up the pace an additional notch. Now he was swinging repeatedly and with phenomenal strength, pushing Qui-Gon in a wide arc around the courtyard.
His green blade was a bright blur in the darkness, and his entire body moved with certainty and empowerment.
Qui-Gon had to concentrate — hard — to keep ahead of his Padawan.
They had fought side by side often enough for him to be able to guess what Obi-Wan would do next. Of course, the same was true of Obi-Wan. And once in a while the young Jedi blocked a blow so quickly that Qui-Gon knew the boy had known exactly what was coming.
With a flash and a buzz, the lightsabers met in a raised cross. Both men were breathless, sweating from the exertion. This had been no lighthearted spar.
Obi-Wan looked up at his Master, his eyes bright and intense. It was clear that he had not actually won the match, but that he had stated his case firmly. Something had changed between them. Obi-Wan had taken yet another step toward becoming a Jedi Knight, and Qui-Gon was closer than ever to letting him go.