Timothy Zahn - Outbound Flight

“These control systems really are pretty good, though,”

Anakin assured him. “Some of the Podracers on Tatooine use them when they’re trying out a new course.”

“There aren’t fifty thousand people wandering in and out of a Podracing course where they could be run over,”

Obi-Wan pointed out.

“But there are plenty of animals on the courses,”

Anakin countered, a little too tartly. “You know, like dewbacks and banthas?”

“Anakin—” Obi-Wan began warningly.

“We have already tried the system, Master Kenobi,”

Pakmillu put in quickly. “As Padawan Skywalker said, it works quite well.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” Obi-Wan said, eyeing Anakin darkly. The boy had developed a bad habit of disrespect lately, especially in public where he perhaps thought that his master would be reluctant to reprimand him. It was partly his age, Obi-Wan knew, but even so it was unacceptable.

But Anakin also knew just how far he could push it. In response to Obi-Wan’s reproving look, he dropped his gaze, his expression indicating at least outward contrition.

And with that, this particular incident was apparently over. Making a mental note to have yet another talk with the boy the next time they were alone, Obi-Wan turned back to Pakmillu. “I understand you’ll be making a short tour through Republic space before you enter the Unknown Regions.”

“A sort of shakedown cruise, yes,” Pakmillu said. “We must confirm that our equipment is functioning properly before we go beyond reach of repair facilities.”

He stepped to a nearby navigational console and touched a key, and a holo of the galaxy appeared overhead.

“From here we go to Lonnaw in Droma sector,” he said, pointing.

“After that, we’ll cut through the edge of Glythe sector to Argai in Haldeen sector. Then we’ll travel through Kokash and Mondress sectors, with a final stop possible in Albanin sector if it seems necessary.”

“That’s a lot of stops,” Obi-Wan said.

“Most will just be flybys,” Pakmillu assured him. “We won’t actually stop unless there are problems.”

“What happens then?” Anakin asked.

“If all goes well, three weeks from now we’ll formally enter Unknown Space,” Pakmillu said. “At a point approximately two hundred thirty light-years from the edge of Wild Space we’ll stop for a final navigational calibration”—his mouth tendrils wiggled as he shut down the holo—“and we’ll then begin our journey in earnest. Through the Unknown Regions, and to the next galaxy.”

Anakin whistled softly. “How long before you’ll get back?”

“Several years at least,” Pakmillu told him. “But the storage core has supplies enough for ten years, and we expect to be able to supplement its stores of foodstuffs and water along the way. In addition, our numbers may well diminish if we find hospitable worlds to colonize.”

“You’re not just going to leave people behind in the Unknown Regions, are you?” Anakin asked, frowning.

“If we do, it will be with enough food and equipment to get settled,” Pakmillu assured him. “We would also leave one of the Dreadnaughts behind for defense and transport. As you can see from Outbound Flight’s design, it will be relatively easy to detach a single ship from the rest of the complex.”

Anakin shook his head. “Still sounds dangerous.”

“We are well prepared,” Pakmillu reminded him. “Andof course, we have eighteen Jedi aboard. It will be safe.”

“Or at least as safe as one can be anywhere in these times,” Obi-Wan murmured.

“And it will be a glorious adventure, as well,” Pakmillu continued, eyeing Anakin. “A pity you will not be joining us.”

“There are still a lot of things I want to do here,”

Anakin said, an unexpected flicker of emotion coloring his voice and sense. He looked sideways at Obi-Wan, and the emotion vanished beneath a more proper Jedi composure. “Besides, I can’t leave my master until my training is complete.”

“With six Jedi Masters aboard you would have several choices of a teacher,” Pakmillu pointed out.

“That’s not really how it works,” Obi-Wan told him. It amazed him sometimes how people who had no idea whatsoever of the inner workings of Jedi methodology nevertheless had equally few qualms about expressing that ignorance. “You said Master C’baoth will be arriving soon?”

“He is in fact here,” C’baoth’s voice boomed from across the room.

Obi-Wan turned. There, just entering the room, were C’baoth and Lorana Jinzler. “This is a surprise, Master Kenobi,”

C’baoth continued as he strode casually through the bustle of activity. No one actually had to move to let him pass, Obi-Wan noticed, but there were quite a few near misses. Fortunately, most of the techs were too preoccupied to even notice his passage. Lorana picked her way through the crowd more carefully, looking distinctly uncomfortable. “I thought you’d be on your way back to Sulorine by now.”

“I was relieved of that assignment,” Obi-Wan said.

“There’s something I need to discuss with you, Master C’baoth.”

C’baoth nodded. “Certainly. Go ahead.”

Obi-Wan braced himself. Between C’baoth and Anakin,this was likely to be unpleasant. “Anakin and I would like to join the expedition.”

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Anakin turn to him in astonishment. “We would?” the boy asked.

“We would,” Obi-Wan said firmly. “At least to the edge of the galaxy.”

C’baoth’s lip quirked. “So Master Yoda finally concedes that I might indeed find Vergere?”

“Who’s Vergere?” Lorana asked.

“A missing Jedi,” C’baoth said, his eyes still on Obi-Wan’s face. “Master Kenobi tried once to find her and failed.”

“There was nothing in the voyage mandate about a search and rescue mission,” Pakmillu said, his voice suddenly wary.

“That’s because it’s Jedi business, Captain, and none of your concern,” C’baoth told him. “Don’t worry, it won’t interfere with our schedule.” He lifted. his eyebrows toward Obi-Wan. “I hope you didn’t ask to come along in the hope of assuaging any feelings of guilt.”

“I didn’t ask to come at all,” Obi-Wan said. “I simply do as the Council directs me.”

“As do we all,” C’baoth said, an edge of irony in his voice as he shifted his eyes to Anakin. “What about you, young Sky-walker? You seem unhappy with this change in your plans.”

Obi-Wan held his breath. There were several reasons he hadn’t told Anakin in advance about Windu’s mandate, not the least of them being the fact that the boy still obviously held C’baoth in high esteem. If he’d told Anakin they were coming to Yaga Minor to keep an eye on the man, he would have pressed for further explanation. It wouldn’t have done to disillusion him with Windu’s concerns about C’baoth’s possible involvementwith the Barlok incident.

Fortunately, it was quickly evident that the decision to keep the boy in the dark had been the right one. “I’m not unhappy at all, Master C’baoth,” Anakin said with a clear voice and sense of complete honesty. “I was just surprised. Master Obi-Wan hadn’t told me about it.”

“But you do want to come see the Unknown Regions with me?”

Anakin hesitated. “I don’t want to leave the Republic forever,” he said. “But I was impressed by how you handled things on Barlok, ending the deadlock and all. I think I’d learn a lot just by watching you in your daily activities.”

C’baoth smiled wryly at Obi-Wan. “One thing at least you’ve given the lad, Master Kenobi: a smooth tongue.”

“I would hope I’ve given him more than that,”

Obi-Wan said evenly. “Still, he’s right about how much he could learn from you.” He nodded to Lorana. “As I’m sure Padawan Jinzler would agree.”