Title:  The Last Adventure

Author:  Jonathan Evans

Author email:  noggins@btinternet.com

Category:  Between the Trilogies

Summary: One year after Episode III, Obi-Wan Kenobi is now a
resident of Tatooine. As he begins to settle down alone a new
threat, or rather the remains of an old, emerges to prevent
it.

Disclaimer:  George Lucas owns everything and I'm not making any
money off of thi nor do I intend to (I'd like to but that's not the 
point).  You can distribute this freely provided that it's
complete with this disclaimer.

THE LAST ADVENTURE
By Jonathan Evans

Owen's words had stung him like a Nesseran Razor Bee. Luke was to
know nothing about his heritage, know nothing about the Jedi until
a time that his "uncle" decided. If Owen Lars had his way that would
be never. Ben understood this. It wasn't as if he wanted Luke to be
harmed either but it was his duty to become the first of the new
line of Jedi knights.

He didn't want the new Skywalker to die like his father - at the hands of
a being more machine than man. Twisted and evil. When he first looked into
Luke's eyes he saw so much of Anakin. The strength, the connection
to the Force. No one else but a Jedi, upon looking at a newborn child
could see how corrupted it could become. He didn't want to believe that
would happen to Luke but his future was so clouded. He needed the instruction
of a Jedi Master if he was to avoid the temptation of the Dark Side and
become like Vader.

Ben walked through the jundland wastes with a staff in his hand. His
leg was still recovering after the battle with the Sith Lord that saw
Anakin, his former pupil and Luke's father, die because he could not
do anything to stop it. It would not be long before he was completely
healed but the muscle still required some work. He had not spent enough
time in the bacta tank before the great evacuation.

He knew through the Force that a massive purge of the remaining
Jedi was taking place. Not that there were many. The Clone Wars
saw to that. He cringed as a sharp pain shot up his leg to the joint.
He quickly kicked the stone that had caused it and continued walking.
Owen's farm was not far away and they had a lot to discuss.

*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

Upon reaching the homestead, Ben Kenobi almost regretted the journey.
Nevertheless, he continued walking and got to the door. He was
greeted by Beru Lars who was holding young Luke Skywalker. At only
one year old he had the spark of intelligence that many children
his age lacked. He smiled upon seeing the old man, perhaps out
of instinct or even memory. He doubted it was the latter. Owen had
ensured that Ben never got a chance to see the boy.

"I've come to see..." Ben began.
Beru nodded. "He's out back trying to repair one of the droids."
"The treadwell?" Ben asked, half smiling.
Beru nodded.
"He's never got that thing working properly. I doubt it'll last
another season."
Kenobi shrugged. "You can never be sure. Maybe soon you'll have
an expert mechanic in the family." He touched Luke's cheek and
he gurgled happily.
"Well, Owen would appreciate it."

After these formal pleasantaries, Ben relaxed.
"How are you, Beru?" he asked in a most concerned way.
"I'm coping. Tatooine wasn't really my idea of a place to settle
down but I'm coping. At least we have the facilities to keep us
going."
"You're luckier than me," the Jedi smiled. "The door on my hut
isn't working and I'm sure my vaporator's got a mind of its
own."
Beru laughed and she was joined by Luke who, although not
understanding the joke, liked to have a part in the conversation too.
Ben looked carefully at the boy. "He's grown since I last saw him."

"That's 'cause you haven't been here for a long time," a gruff 
voice came from inside the homestead. Owen Lars emerged. His
once smooth face was now replaced with hard stubble.
"You've forgotten to shave, brother," Ben noted.
"Don't get much of a chance around here. I have to start work at
suns rise until Tatoo II goes down."
"It's a hard life here, brother, but you're coping admirably,"
the Jedi said with a tone of envy. Things had not been going
well for him. He knew life in the Jedi Temple was not easy
but it was far more comfortable than the harsh climate of Tatooine.

A uneasy silence came across the three now. Owen seemed to have
that sort of effect on conversation. Luke began to cry so Beru
took him back inside to change him. Ben looked at his brother.
"Have you decided yet?" he asked.
"I don't want to lose Luke, Ben. Beru doesn't want to lose him.
I understand your aim but..."
"But what?"
"But couldn't you train his sister. Surely Bail would be a little
more understanding. He's known many Jedi in his time."
Ben shook his head. "Luke is the most powerful of the two. He is
the one who will bring the Jedi back to their golden age."
"That's a lot of responsibility for one child," Owen grumbled.
"I hope you realise that?"

Ben nodded. "I understand, but he is the son of Anakin Skywalker,
the most powerful Jedi we've ever known. Only his own son could
defeat Darth Vader and the Emperor."
"And what would that do for the boy? You want to send him to
avenge the death of a father he never knew!"

Kenobi looked away from his brother. They never looked into each
others eyes in case they saw the similarities between them.

Suddenly, Kenobi heard a sound that had been unknown to his ears 
for a long time. He dreaded it but knew it all to well. He turned
to be blinded by the light of the first sun of Tatooine. All he could
see was a long streak of light about a metre long.

A figure was holding this and it dived down at the Jedi who moved
to avoid it. Then he saw it for the first time. Dark robed, red
eyes and a lightsaber. A Dark Jedi. Palpatine's second favourite
weapon used for destroying Jedi. If he couldn't get his apprentice
to do it, these were his next choice.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi," it said. "You will meet your death now by order
of Emperor Palpatine and Lord Darth Vader."
"I do not believe Vader knows of this little strike or else he
would be here himself."
"Your insight serve you well, Jedi."

The Dark Jedi lunged at Kenobi again but he moved aside to avoid the
strike. He had left his own saber back in his hut. He didn't expect
any of the Sith's little pawns to come here to Tatooine. He used his
staff to hit his attacker in the stomach before somersaulted out of 
reach.

"Owen!" he called. "Get Beru and the boy away from here."
"No way, Ben," was the reply. "This is my home and I'm defending it."
He pulled out a small blaster and fired at the Dark Jedi. It's
weapon quickly deflected the shot so Owen fired back. This time
the deflection came back at him and hit him in the chest.
"Owen!" Ben cried before flying at the evil creature, leg up right.
The kick sent the Dark Jedi into the wall of the homestead which
was dug into the ground.

His staff impacted on its head but was soon hacked in two pieces
by the more powerful lightsaber. Ben moved away looked at Owen. He
checked if his brother was still breathing then went back on the
attack.

A quick jump avoided a lower attack from the saber and gave him the
chance to hit down on the Dark Jedi's neck. Obviously stunned, it
staggered back and moved its lightsaber down. Ben punched again and
soon had the upper hand despite the lack of weapon. This status did
not last long as a quick wrench with the Force propelled the weapon
into his own grasp.

"Now, my friend, we see if you can fight without this..."
The Dark Jedi ran passed Ben into the main part of the homestead.
"Beru! Get Luke away from there!" he called as he ran in. He looked
around and closed his eyes. The Force lead him to the location of
the mysterious attacker and found it looking down on Beru who
was cowering with young Luke Skywalker in her arms.

The Dark Jedi turned to Ben.
"Well, well, Kenobi. It seems the Force is strong with this one."
Ben closed his eyes and let the Force guide him as he leapt forward
and cut off the Dark Jedi's head with one swift swoop. It's body
fell to the ground in a heap and quickly decomposed into nothing.
Ben looked at Beru who was still getting over the initial shock.

"It's okay. It's dead..."
"What - what was it?"
"One of Palpatine's little warriors on a mission of his own. Do
not worry. I can be sure that the Emperor knows nothing of this.
Luke is quite safe."

"That's as may be," Owen said as he walked in, grasping his wound,
"but I don't want him to even come close to hurting him again."
"What does that mean, brother?" Ben asked. He never could work
out what Owen was ever thinking.
"You're no longer my brother, Kenobi. If it wasn't for your
foolishness he would not have even found Luke. I never want to
see him being touched by this Force of yours!"
"The Force is a part of him. You know that. It is part of his
destiny."
"Well, if I have my way, his destiny's changing from this moment
on."

Ben wanted to protest but knew he couldn't. He would have to try
again another time. If that ever came about.
"Then what does this mean for us?"
"It means," Owen snarled. "That I don't want to see you in my
home again. Get outta here!"
Ben nodded in acknowledgement and turned sadly away. Once he was
out of listening range, Beru looked to her husband.
"You can't keep them apart forever, Owen," she said. "Ben's right.
Luke must learn about his past and his future..."
"I'll have no more of this talk! It's scaring the boy," Owen said
as he too left the homestead to continue work on his droid.

Beru looked at Luke who had remained calm throughout the entire
experience. He sucked his thumb quietly and had a look of
peace in his eyes.

		THE END