Джуд Уотсон: Jedi Apprentice 18: The Threat Within

"Hey, what are you doing out here?" she asked.

Startled, Obi-Wan looked up and quickly pulled his hood over his head to hide the fact that he did not have antennae. Luckily the office building was quite dark.

"I'm not feeling well," Obi-Wan said, getting slowly to his feet. "I came out here to rest. But I think I should just go home."

The girl eyed him curiously. "What's with the funny clothes?" she asked.

Obi-Wan looked down at his Jedi robe. "It's my new bathrobe. I had to sneak out at the last minute and didn't have time to change." He looked at the girl's plain tunic and hoped that Vorzydiaks had different nightclothes. "Weird, isn't it?" he added shyly.

"I guess," the girl replied. Obi-Wan thought she looked a little doubtful, but she smiled casually before he headed down the corridor and out the door.

As he made his way down the steps, he heaved a sigh of relief. So far, so good.

Qui-Gon opened his eyes and sat up in a single fluid movement. The room was dark, but he did not need to look at his timepiece to know that it was very late. He did not need to see the empty couch to know that the room was still empty. Obi-Wan had not returned.

Where is he? Qui-Gon thought in frustration. He should have conferred with me before leaving.

Reaching into his Jedi robe, he found his corn-link and switched it on. He was about to contact his Padawan when something told him not to.

Let the boy do some exploring. He is not a child who needs constant instruction any longer. He may be doing something important. And his investigations may prove fruitful to the mission.

Qui-Gon put his comlink away with a sigh. Again he was bombarded with images of his Padawan — images of a talented, impatient boy becoming a man.

They had been through a lot together — revenge, deceit, war, death. And things had not always been smooth between them. They each had a strong will and those wills sometimes clashed. But they had also grown to depend on and trust each other. More than a formidable Jedi team, they loved each other and were true friends.

As he looked around the empty room, Qui-Gon wanted Obi-Wan to stay a young man forever. He did not want him to change, to grow up.

If he does, I will lose him, he thought. Just as I have lost TahL Qui-Gon was horrified at his own desire — how could he want such a thing? Obi-Wan had his own life to live, his own destiny. It was not Qui- Gon's place to interfere with or wish it to be any different than it was meant to be.

As he lay back on his sleep couch, guilt and sadness kept him awake.

He tried to let the emotions flow out of him.

It was a long time before they finally did.

Qui-Gon was resting peacefully when Obi-Wan returned. As the door slid closed behind his Padawan, Qui-Gon sensed his excitement. Energy sparked from the boy like an electric current. Qui-Gon sat up.

Obi-Wan turned on a soft light and sat down on his sleep couch.

"Master," he said, his eyes shining. "I have news. I have learned many things that will help us in this mission."

Qui-Gon smiled. Just a year or so ago Obi-Wan would have burst out with whatever news he had like an excited boy. Now he was introducing it in a logical fashion, in spite of his stimulated state.

"Go on," Qui-Gon prodded gently.

"There are two things," Obi-Wan explained. "The first is that Vorzydiaks are capable of sharing strong emotional bonds. I saw a young girl with her grandmother, and it was clear from their interaction that they loved each other very much."

Qui-Gon was glad to hear this news. Somehow it was comforting to know that the Vorzyd 4's had more emotions than they usually displayed. "And the other piece of information?"

"That is even bigger news," Obi-Wan said. "Vorzyd 5 is definitely not responsible for the pranks."

Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow. "And I assume you are going to tell me who is?" he asked.

Obi-Wan inhaled slightly. "Freelies Vorzydiak kids."

Qui-Gon was quiet for a moment, letting this information sink in. It changed their mission considerably.

"I followed some kids to a secret meeting and listened from outside the room," Obi-Wan explained. "If I can pass myself off as a Vorzydiak boy, I can pretend to join the cause and gather all kinds of information about the kids and what they are trying to do. Then we can — "

"Absolutely not," Qui-Gon interrupted. "Infiltration is not part of our assignment. We must tell Chairman Port what is happening."

Obi-Wan opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again. Qui-Gon got the feeling that it took all of his Padawan's resolve not to explode in frustration.

Obi-Wan took some time to gather his thoughts, standing up and moving across the room before turning back to face his Master. Qui-Gon could almost see his mind working.

"This society is clearly unhealthy," Obi-Wan finally said in a calm voice. "It is not working for its people. The youths' actions are an obvious cry for help. If we are not careful about how we expose their involvement, we risk ruining everything. We may as well say good-bye to any hope of change."

Obi-Wan stopped speaking for a minute but continued to look his Master in the eye. Qui?Gon sensed that he was not going to back down.

"The Vorzydiak 4's would be better served if we prepare both sides for the confrontation ahead," Obi-Wan finished. "It will still be a mediation, just not between the parties we expected."

Qui-Gon looked at his Padawan. He stood near the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes burned with determination, but not an angry one. He simply believed that this was the best path for the mission to take.

Qui-Gon disagreed. They had not been summoned by the Council to infiltrate the Vorzydiaks. They should simply explain that Vorzyd 5 was not to blame and leave Vorzyd 4 to sort out its own troubles. The Jedi were keepers of peace, not politicians or spies.

But then, missions often didn't go as planned. And this one was no exception. Nothing on Vorzyd 4 was as they'd expected. The dinner they'd shared with the Ports was not just culturally different, but stifled and awkward. He'd sensed that Bryn was unhappy, perhaps even depressed.

Relations between the generations could certainly be described as unhealthy. But was this the way to fix it, and was doing so within their mandate?

Qui-Gon stood up and paced the room. Wasn't he constantly telling Obi-Wan to trust his instincts? How could he give the boy such guidance and then never let him act on it?

Because you are afraid to let him go, afraid of the day you won't be his Master.

"Master?" Obi-Wan's voice cut into Qui-Gon's thoughts. He had not meant to be silent for so long. Obi-Wan was looking at him, waiting patiently for a response.

Qui-Gon exhaled a long breath. "You may gather information for three days," he said. "But you must keep me informed of all happenings. And if after that time you have not convinced the Freelies to come forward and discuss matters with the adults themselves, I will have to report their involvement in the pranks to Chairman Port."

Obi-Wan dropped his hands to his sides and smiled. His blue eyes clearly showed his gratitude. "Thank you," he said.

Qui-Gon nodded. He was not at all certain that he'd made the right decision.

Obi-Wan immediately began to formulate his plans. He was a bit surprised that Qui-Gon had let him take the lead in the mission, but he was pleased as well. It was the first time Qui-Gon had given him so much responsibility.

Perhaps he is beginning to think of me as a peer and not just a pupil, Obi-Wan thought. The young Jedi had been waiting a long time for an opportunity like this, and was determined to succeed.

Lying on his sleep couch, Obi-Wan recounted what he'd overheard at the Freelies meeting. The more he could remember, the better his chances of infiltrating successfully. It seemed he had just fallen asleep when his Master was gently rousing him awake.