Qui-Gon was wide awake seconds before he heard the buzz of the cabin's comm. unit. He hopped down from his bunk and silenced it.
"Yes?" he said in a low voice. He could hear Obi-Wan's breathing, the shallow measured breaths of deep sleep. He didn't want to wake him.
A nameless voice said flatly, "Qui-Gon Jinn, there is an emergency communication for you from the Jedi council on Coruscant. Please report to the communications room at once. "
Qui-Gon didn't bother to answer. Instead he dressed and hurried toward the front of the ship.
***
In the communications room Qui-Gon faced a hologram of Mace Windu. The shuttle was set to emulate time on Coruscant so Qui-Gon recognized that it must be something very serious to have them both up so late.
"I'm sorry Qui-Gon," Mace was saying, "I know you've been gone a long time, but this is an emergency. The planet of Yebbis-Corta is on the brink of civil war. There have been several attacks on their capital city already. They have requested Jedi intervention. They need someone to escort their spiritual and political leaders to a neutral meeting place."
"I don't see what that has to do with us. There are thousands of Jedi who could do this." Qui-Gon said.
"The issue is time. Yebbis-Corta is in a very isolated part of the galaxy, but to the neighboring systems, they are the hub of the entire political and religious order. If the planet's people are split by the civil unrest, it could resonate throughout the galaxy." Mace said. "You and Obi-Wan must go there tonight."
"Tonight? How?"
"The shuttle is slowing down. A republic diplomatic cruiser will rendezvous with you in an hour."
"Please," Qui-Gon made one last attempt, "Obi-Wan is exhausted. I'm tired too. It's been too long."
Through the lines of the hologram Qui-Gon could see Mace Windu's face soften. "I know." He said, "The council has looked at every option. But you're the closest. We owe it to the people of Yebbis-Corta. You and your Padawan shall have a break. I promise. The council promises."
Qui-Gon smiled ruefully. "It's never been my place to disobey the wishes of the council." He said, ignoring the stern look that Mace Windu gave him, "We will go to Yebbis-Corta."
He bowed and stepped away as the hologram faded.
***
Back in their quarters, Qui-Gon woke Obi-Wan as gently as he could, and watched as his apprentice had packed his things listlessly, as though still not totally awake. Then the two of them made their way to the docking hangar, moving with cat-like silence through the dimmed hallways.
As they watched the red-hulled republic cruiser enter the docking bay, Obi-Wan was sullen.
"I won't get to say goodbye to Bant," he said. Qui-Gon regarded him. For the last month he had noticed an almost permanent fatigue that had become part of his padawan's countenance. He didn't like it. It was unusual for a new master and apprentice pair to be tested so early in their relationship. The council obviously had a great deal of faith in them. Maybe too much.
"I know," was all he said though. There was nothing he could do about it now. He would figure out a way to make it up to Obi-Wan later.
The cruiser took off seconds after they boarded, taking them to a place far away from Coruscant.
Back in the familiar confines of the ambassadorial ship that had become like a home to them, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan studied a pair of data pads with the mission briefing on them. The mission was simple, but the planet's people were complex.
Yebbis-Corta, or "Sacred Home" in the native tongue, was home to a deeply spiritual and pacifistic race known as the Yebbi. The people were so deeply rooted in their spiritual lives that their very name for themselves was simply "spirit." Over half the population lived in temples as monks. Religion was hardly separated from the daily lives of these people who believed that every thing, living or dead was holy. Because of this belief system, the Yebbi did not die but simply transferred bodies when one became used up. The tracking of souls was like a science to them as they roved about their own planet searching the tiny villages for the reincarnations of the great monks.
The problem was that they could not support themselves by their spirituality alone. While for centuries they had served as neutral mediators for the neighboring planets, in the expanding interstellar economy of the republic they'd needed to sustain at least some technological growth. So, along with the great temples and a multitude of shrines, existed a thriving technological quadrant.
Three centuries earlier the technology workers of Yebbis-Corta had rebelled and the planet was divided into two states. The new state was called "Talus" with the majority of the land still held by the monks and other Yebbi designated as "Rengaia". Despite the split, the citizens of both Talus and Rengaia remained deeply rooted in the same spiritual belief system that had guided them for centuries before. They co-existed peacefully and willingly.
Ten years ago, however, all that had changed. A group of students lead by a charismatic young woman by the name of Astrid Stovall started a tiny rebellion. Astrid believed that the time of the Yebbi was over and that the entire planet rightfully belonged to Talus. She called for a new designation for the world - Talus-Corta. To make matters worse, she blamed the spiritual leadership of Rengaia for her planet's slowed technological development and preached the dismantling of most of the temples and monasteries. She was a powerful speaker and a cunning politician, even as a young student.
Astrid's small group of students was dismissed as insignificant by leaders of both Talus and Rengaia and so she was able to continue to build up a following unhindered. Now she had an army that lived somewhere in the vast jungle between the borders of Talus and Rengaia. To make matters more complicated she had several supporters in elected positions on the Talusian government. She and her supporters were calling for annexation of Rengaia and advocated military action should they refuse to submit. There had already been ruthless guerilla attacks on the Rengaian capital city of Es-speeth and for the past year Yebbi living in the state of Talus had been ordered to return to Rengaia or be placed into detention camps.
The past year. Qui-Gon put the data pad down and sighed. This had been going on for a year. Why hadn't they requested help earlier? Or perhaps a few days later? He rubbed his temples. The room swam before his eyes. He looked over at Obi-Wan, hunched over his data pad and staring intently at the same information.
"You'd think that if this had been going on for a year, they could have called us earlier," he said without looking up at Qui-Gon. It was funny, as their bond through the force grew stronger, how many times Qui-Gon heard his apprentice echo his own thoughts. And how sometimes he found himself thinking thoughts that were almost alien to him and he realized that it was Obi-Wan's mind touching his.
Obi-Wan was still looking down at the data pad, but his mind was no longer on its contents. "Qui-Gon?"
"Yes."
"That was fun. On the ship, I mean."
"It is always an honor to spar with you, Obi-Wan. You'll be a great Jedi someday. More skilled than I am." Qui-Gon said this without pride.
"Thank you, Master."
"And now, I think it is time to get some rest. The Yebbi waited a year for us already. They can wait a couple more hours."
Obi-Wan stood up. "Agreed," he said, smiling. Their new quarters had separate sleeping areas and they parted ways. As Qui-Gon drifted off he wondered, why did Mace Windu feel that the Jedi owed the Yebbi their service?
***
The capital city of Es-Speeth was high up on a mesa of hard stone. The mesa was surrounded by craggy mountains of bare rock that dropped off sharply and descended into rainforest so thick it was considered impassible by all but the most highly trained. Because of the years of isolation the land created, the Yebbi were highly suspicious of strangers, even those from other parts of the country, so off-worlders were regarded with the deepest suspicion. The cruiser landed at a secret location far from the capital city and Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had been whisked there in a windowless shuttle.
The shuttle came to rest in front of the entrance to the grand palace and they emerged from its isolation to the most incredible sights and sounds Obi-Wan had ever seen. Despite the landscape of barren rock, the city was bathed in brilliant color and cacophonous sound. Tapestries and flags of the most intricate weaving hung flapping in the wind from nearly every wall of the palace. There were rugs with the same multifaceted design work leading up to the palace, filled with detailed scenes of various totemic animals. Above them somewhere, great horns blasted an ever-present drone. Monks in russet robes and pilgrims in rags were everywhere, chanting and supplicating themselves before the palace. They sang prayers and clanged tiny metal chimes in the bright sun. The place was nearly bathed in mysticism.
Two young monks who seemed oblivious to the chaos ushered them across the rugs to the grand staircase. This was a formal arrival so the two Jedi wore their hooded robes obscuring their faces. Obi-Wan stepped on to the carpet and realized in horror that it was not a carpet at all but a design of poured sand. It must have taken years to make! Every footstep he'd made left a scuff in the pattern. He stopped, frozen in place. Qui-Gon must have sensed his shock because he turned around.
"It's alright. It's meant to happen. Nothing is permanent here," he said. Obi-Wan found the fortitude to move again, though he tried to step lightly to minimize the damage.
The palace itself was a giant maze of rooms and hallways. A grand meditation room was filled with monks, their bowed heads moving like a gentle sea. The low murmuring they made rose and fell like a swarm of insects. Incense permeated every space. The colors were more subdued within however and Obi-Wan found that he was even becoming accustomed to the constant drone that had seemed like a cacophony earlier.
The monks led them to a giant double door painted red. The door swung open to a simple room with a single chair. After the grandness of the entrance, it was a surprise to see such modesty. A woman was sitting in the chair. She was intensely beautiful, with dark wild features and long black hair that hung in hundreds of tight braids to her painted feet. She was dressed modestly to go with the room, but it didn't matter; her beauty, which seemed to emanate from inside of her, was as intricate as any of the tapestries that hung outside. She did not get up as the Jedi approached. Qui-Gon stood before her with Obi-Wan a step behind. The woman spoke.
"You are about to meet the most sacred being on Yebbis-Corta. Are you aware of the protocols regarding the meeting of such a person?"
"Show us. Please," Qui-Gon answered.
The woman's voice was steady and professional. It resonated in the room as she spoke. "He is called 'His High Holiness, The Divine Prince of Enlightenment.' You may call him by his full title or simply, 'Your High Holiness.' You must never speak unless he speaks to you. Your heads must remain below his. You may not touch him. Do not look His High Holiness in the eyes. Ever. And when you enter, you must supplicate yourself to him. He is a living God. Jedi or not, you must honor his position." The litany of rules swam in Obi-Wan's head.
Qui-Gon nodded, aware that for whatever reason, she did not totally trust them. The woman continued.
"I am Sheniko. I am His High Holiness' guardian."
"It is our honor." Qui-Gon bowed, Obi-Wan mimicking his gesture from behind. Sheniko rose and returned the bow. She showed them the supplication posture that was proper at such a meeting. First a traditional bow, but instead of finishing there the head continued down until it touched the floor. The knees met the floor and then the body straightened face down on the floor. Obi-Wan practiced a few extra times to make sure he had it right. "I will show you in now". Sheniko guided them towards a heavy door. She braced herself against it and it swung open to reveal a large room that was nearly empty, with only a large screen made of woven cloth. Small square windows let in beams of light that gave the room an almost holy glow. To the side of the screen, eight monks stood with near military precision. "Please, follow." Sheniko gestured for them to enter.
The three of them stood before the barrier. Sheniko supplicated before it and Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan quickly joined her in the moves they had just practiced. When they were done Sheniko backed away, leaving the two Jedi facing the screen alone.
Obi-Wan understood now. The screen was to prevent visitors from actually seeing The Divine Prince while allowing the Divine Prince to look upon his visitors. Obi-Wan could just make out an inhuman shadow moving behind the screen. He squinted but couldn't make out any detail. They lowered their hoods and showed their faces for the first time.
"Your High Holiness, I am Qui-Gon Jinn." Qui-Gon spoke, his voice low and formal, "My apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and I are here at the request of your government. It is our honor to serve."
The shadow moved about excitedly but said nothing. Qui-Gon waited patiently. A monk suddenly appeared from behind the screen. All the monks looked and dressed the same but this one seemed different, as though he had a sharper mind than the rest. He moved forward with a haste unusual in the serene environs.
"I am Dash-te Dey, chief political advisor and head tutor to his High Holiness. It was I who called you. " He bowed.
There was rustling behind the barrier and Dash-te Dey was summoned back behind it. There was something comic about all this formality and the way Dash-te hurried back. Obi-Wan hid his smile behind the sleeve of his robe. After a hushed debate, Dash-te returned.
"His High Holiness wishes Obi-Wan Kenobi to step forward." Obi-Wan glanced in surprise at Qui-Gon who nodded reassuringly. He stepped forward a few paces. The screen still obscured his view of the being that moved grotesquely behind it.
"A little closer, please," Dash-te Dey beckoned him.
Obi-Wan obeyed. He was so close to the partition now that his nose nearly touched it. He squinted through the cloth, trying to see what was behind. Another hushed conversation and Dash-te motioned to him to come around the screen. Cautiously, Obi-Wan walked around to the other side. He looked up.
On a large pedestal before him sat a boy his own age. There was nothing remarkable about him except his smile, which was wide and welcoming. He wore an elaborate headdress of beads, feathers, and cloth that hid his size and shape, but was incredibly delicate despite its bulk. He sat there for a moment, grinning from ear to ear as if completely overwhelmed by the visit. Finally, he inclined his head as much as the headdress would allow in a quick bow.
"I have never met a Jedi knight," he said. His voice was open and honest. The smile never left his face.
For a moment Obi-Wan wasn't sure what to do or say. Could he correct a person considered to be a god by his people? It took a moment, but he found his voice still worked. "I am a Padawan, not a knight, your high holiness. An apprentice to Master Qui-Gon."
The Divine Prince was unfazed. He reached down from the pedestal and touched Obi-Wan's robe. Then he ran his fingers over the top of Obi-Wan's close cropped hair. He laughed. "It's very soft," he said. The Divine Prince continued his exploration and ran his fingers over Obi-Wan's sleeves and looked at his hands, holding them up before his own as though to measure their size and shape. Obi-Wan remained silent and still during the inspection, not sure if he was violating the protocol Sheniko had set before them or not. Underneath the trappings of his office the Divine Prince was dressed like any other monk, in brown robes and shaved head. Only a yellow thread sewn into the hem of his garments signified anything different about him.
"Have you always been a Jedi?" the Divine Prince asked.
"Yes," Obi-Wan answered, and then added, "Your High Holiness," after Sheniko shot him a stern look.
The Divine Prince reached for Obi-Wan's lightsabre. Without thinking he blocked it, his hand grazing the skin of the most sacred being on Yebbis-Corta. "Careful," he whispered and earned another stern glance from Sheniko and now Dash-te Dey. Obi-Wan backed away from the pedestal for his own safety. Then for a moment, he felt something move the force around him. He felt it and then it was gone. Qui-Gon? No, it was too tentative, like someone testing the water to see how warm it was. The Divine Prince fixed his eyes on him levelly. Obi-Wan let his gaze rise and for a moment looked directly at the Divine Prince. Yes, his expression said, that was me.
Abruptly the Divine Prince sat up and removed his headdress. "Audience is over for today," he announced and stood up. The eight monks who stood like statues at the side of the screen turned and marched out of the room wordlessly. Dash-te Dey pushed the screen aside. Obi-Wan caught Qui-Gon's eye. He looked amused by the encounter.
"I would like to show Obi-Wan my garden. It isn't far." The Divine Prince hopped off the pedestal. Looks were exchanged between Dash-te, Sheniko, and Qui-Gon. This was not the meeting that any of them had expected.
"Go ahead," Qui-Gon said.
Before Obi-Wan knew what was happening the Divine Prince had him by the wrist. "Come, I'll show it to you," he shouted, and they disappeared down a set of steps. Qui-Gon stepped outside onto the balcony where his apprentice had just been. Dash-te stood beside him. They both surveyed the landscape of pale rock that fell away into a lush green canopy below.
"You and your apprentice have been away a long time," Dash-te said. Qui-Gon laughed.
"I didn't know it showed," he said.
"It doesn't. But, I can tell these things. You were going to the Jedi temple to rest after a long journey," Dash-te continued. "If you like, you can rest here."
"The Divine Prince is due at the negotiations isn't he? I was told by the council that this was an emergency," Qui-Gon said.
"When the council was unsure of when you could arrive, the negotiations were postponed. They will begin in two days."
Qui-Gon suddenly felt tired beyond measure. They had rushed here, and now they would wait. He smoothed his beard with his hand. "We will accept that offer," Qui-Gon said. "And I thank you."
Dash-te gestured down the stairs "Your apprentice is nearly the same age as the Divine Prince."
Qui-Gon nodded. "They are close, I believe."
"Might I suggest that you give him the afternoon off? The Divine Prince has never had a companion his own age. It would be good for him."
Qui-Gon smiled. He thought of the wave of disappointment that had washed over him when he told Obi-Wan of their new plans. Obi-Wan had quickly controlled his feelings, but Qui-Gon knew that it hadn't been easy for him. "It will be good for both of them," he said.
A moment later the Divine Prince returned. Obi-Wan was behind him.
"Obi-Wan."
"Yes, master."
"The day is yours, Padawan. You may do what you like and find me at dusk," Qui-Gon said. A look of relief crossed over Obi-Wan's face.
"Thank you," he said.
The Divine Prince was released also and the two of them ran back down the steps. Qui-Gon watched them go. Dash-te looked after his pupil with an unmistakable fondness. "He would have been one of Obi-Wan's peers, had he been born in the republic," Dash-te said.
"Yes, probably," Qui-Gon answered. "And you would have been one of mine."
Dash-te smiled. It was at the same time mischievous and relieved that someone
else shared his secret. "Then you noticed. I wondered if you would. Most of
the great monks have it." He paused "And that's what I want to talk to you
about."
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