Search For Lost Jedi Read online

  Star Wars

  Episode 1 Adventures

  1

  Search For Lost Jedi

  Ryder Windham

  Sept 1999 Scanned by [BroD] June 2003

  Introduction

  In Galactic City on the planet Coruscant, the twelve member Jedi Council

  contemplated the Force and decided the action of over ten thousand Jedi

  Knights throughout the galaxy. Legendary for their bravery and power, the Jedi

  prevented wars, preserved peace, and maintained justice. Jedi Master Qui-Gon

  Jinn was regarded as one of the greatest Jedi Knights. A brave warrior and a

  kind man, Qui-Gon was not intimidated by any challenge. He might have been a

  member of the Council but he believed his destiny was as a Jedi Knight, allied

  with the Force to help those in need. As a Jedi Master, one must successfully

  train an apprentice a Padawan Learner to become a Jedi Knight. Qui-Gon Jinn's

  Padawan was a young man named Obi-Wan Kenobi....

  Chapter One

  As the three armory droids lurched forward from the shadows of the arena,

  the twenty-five-year-old Jedi apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi swiftly drew his

  lightsaber and pressed the activation switch. Suddenly, the sound of the

  lightsaber's low, steady hum filled the air, and the dark arena was

  illuminated by the weapon's cold; blue light; Despite his lightsaber's glowing

  blade Obi-Wan could not see anything. He was wearing a thick; padded

  blindfold. Snapping into a combat stance, the armory droids raised their

  blaster pistols the droids aimed at the blindfolded Obi-Wan and Red sending

  red energy bolts flying toward their target. Using the Force to sense the

  trajectory of the. On coming bolts, Obi-Wan swiftly angled his lightsaber and

  swung at the deadly barrage. Loud, electrically emerged crackling filled the

  air as Obi-Wan's darting lightsaber struck the energy bolts; batting them back

  at the three droids. Two droids were destroyed as the bolts hit their torsos

  in a shower of sparks, knocking them to the black metal floor. 'The third

  droid was faster, jerking aside with surprising speed to avoid a direct hit.

  One energy bolt sped past it and smashed into the dense plastoid wall; but the

  final bolt. shaved through the greased elbow joint of the droid's firing arm

  Still gripping the blaster pistol the severed arm clattered to the floor.

  The droid reacted automatically. It used its remaining arm to reach for

  its back-mounted holster and pull free a fully loaded blaster rifle. As the

  armory droid aimed the rifle, the blindfolded. Obi-Wan Kenobi leaped across

  the arena; moving so fast that he became a blur. The droid recalibrated its

  targeting sensors, pulled the trigger, and unleashed an explosive stream of

  energy. bolts at Obi-Wan's indistinct form, But Obi-Wan was too fast the

  spraying bolts hammered into the surrounding walls. Instantly, Obi-Wan and his

  blazing lightsaber rematerialized close behind the armory droid. Detecting its

  opponent, the droid spun around to attack, but it wasn't fast enough. In a

  blinding flash; Obi-Wan's lightsaber slashed up through the droid, cleaving

  the automaton in. half. It toppled over, its legs useless, its scorched,

  severed parts scattered across the black floor. Obi-Wan Kenobi deactivated his

  lightsaber. The entire fight with the three droids had passed in just under

  eleven seconds.

  "Most impressive, Obi-Wan," a deep voice commented from the entrance of

  the arena.

  Immediately recognizing the voice, Obi-Wan turned his blindfolded face to

  the speaker.

  "Greetings, Master," the young Jedi answered as he removed his blindfold.

  "Forgive me. I didn't hear you come in."

  Qui-Gon Jinn, a tall Jedi Master, smiled at his apprentice from the

  arched doorway Moving his hand over a wall panel, Qui-Gon turned on the lights

  within the arena; causing Obi-Wan to blink his eyes.

  "You were focusing too much attention on the droids, Padawan," Qui-Gon

  observed. "To prepare for the unexpected, you must stretch out with the Force.

  Perhaps you're spending too much time here in the Jedi. Temple; It would do

  you well to get outside of this training center once.in a while."

  "Yes, Master," Obi-Wan replied; "I'll follow your advice. But if I may

  ask, what brings you back to the Temple? I thought you were going to visit the

  lower levels of Coruscant.".

  "There was a change in plans," Qui-Gon answered.

  "Sorry to hear that, I know how much you enjoy your friends down there."

  In truth Obi-Wan did not understand why Qui-Gon liked the company of

  pathetic life forms, such as those who populated Coruscant's lowest industrial

  regions. Over many. centuries, the capital city had expanded until it covered

  the entire planet.. The wealthiest citizens lived in luxurious skyscrapers

  while the very poor struggled for survival in the subterranean clusters far

  below Coruscant's surface. Changing the subject, Obi-Wan asked, "So, how much

  did you see of my practice session against the droids?"

  "Surveying the three fallen armory droids, Qui - Gon responded, "Enough

  to see your skill with a lightsaber is ever improving.

  Grateful for Qui-Gon's praise, Obi-Wan bowed. "Thank you, Master." As an

  eight-armed sanitation droid rolled into the arena to clean up the wreckage

  from the floor, Qui-Gon clapped Obi-Wan on the back.

  "Come along now, Padawan," he said, guiding his apprentice toward the

  exit. "We'll have to hurry if we're to attend the meeting."

  "Meeting?" Obi-Wan asked, walking faster to keep up with the long strides

  of his Master. "What meeting 7"

  "We've been summoned by the Jedi Council," Qui-Gon replied as they left

  the training arena and entered a corridor. "That's why I was called away from

  the lower levels."

  The corridor was lined by a row of high windows, offering a spectacular

  view of Galactic. City.

  "The Jedi, Council?" Obi-Wan repeated, clearly surprised.

  "Do you know why they want to see us'?" Leading Obi-Wan into a lift tube,

  Qui-Gon an answered, "I only know that we'd better not be late!"

  Chapter Two

  The Jedi Council was composed of twelve members: Mace Windu, Yoda, Ki-

  Adi-Mundi, Adi Gallia, Depa Billaba, Eeth Koth, Oppo Rancisis, Even Piell, Plo

  Koon, Saesee Tiin, Yaddle, and Yarael Poof. Together, they pondered the

  balance of the Force and helped guide the Jedi Knights in their missions. With

  Master Yoda at his side, Mace Windu presided as a senior Jedi of the Council.

  Leaving the lift tube and entering the Council chamber, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan

  passed Jedi Master Jorus C'baoth, who was on his way out. Since Jorus C'baoth

  was the personal advisor to Senator Palpatine of the Galactic Senate, Obi-Wan

  became even more curious about the nature of the Council meeting. Approaching

  the members of the Council, Qui - Gon cast a quick glance at the seated Jedi.

  Immediately, he noticed an empty chair within the Council's semicircular

  arrangement. Realizing which
Jedi was absent, Qui-Gon dismissed all formality

  and asked,

  "What's happened to Adi Gallia?"

  Before Mace Windu could answer, Yoda's long, pointed ears bent back as he

  remarked,

  "Always perceptive Master Qui-Gon is, to what visible is not."

  "Adi Gallia is missing, Qui-Gon," Mace Windu revealed. "She was on a

  covert mission to the planet Esseles." Raising a hand toward a holographic

  projector, Mace activated a hologram. A slowly rotating globe appeared,

  showing Esseles as a warm world covered with young mountain ranges.

  "We know Adi arrived safely on Esseles, but she missed the last two

  scheduled status reports. Are you familiary with this world?"

  "I've never been there, but I know of it." Qui-.Gon studied the hologram.

  "It's one of the planets linked by the Perlemian Trade Route in the Darpa

  Sector. Esseles' capital city is Calamari, a center for high-tech research and

  development, specializing in hypernautics and advanced hyperdrive engines."

  Listening to his Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi felt both awe and respect. Obi-

  Wan had always been impressed by Qui-Gon's keen memory for details. Mace Windu

  nodded, keeping his eyes fixed on Qui-Gon.

  "Esseles has progressed from research and development to full-scale

  manufacturing," Mace Windu noted. "Recently, the Council received a mysterious

  data card, alerting us that a factory named Trinkatta Starships was

  commissioned to build fifty experimental droid starfighters."

  "Was the data card a trick to lure Jedi to Esseles'?" Qui-Gon asked.

  "If it were a trick," Mace Windu answered, "someone went to a lot of

  trouble to send us very detailed information." The hologram of Esseles

  vanished, replaced by a hologram of a sleek, dart shaped droid starfighter.

  "According to the data card,' Mace continued, "these starfighters are

  equipped with hyperdrive engines."

  "And know what this means we do" Yoda interjected. "Travel through

  hyperspace for peaceful purposes, droid starfighters do not.

  "Master Yoda speaks the truth," Jedi Master Rancisis agreed. A cunning

  military strategy..." the hair-covered Master Oppo pointed to the program and

  professed, "Droid starfighters have two purposes: to kill and to conquer.

  They're lying, hired guns without fear or remorse, generally reserved for the

  most lethal campaigns. With hyperdrive capability, they don't need to be:

  trans - ported by a carrier ship. Properly programmed, they could be sent to

  attack any ship or planet in the galaxy and bought by any creature with..."

  "I doubt that Trinkatta Starships would have built expensive droid

  starfighters unless there was already a buyer," Qui-Gon Jinn commented as the

  hologram vanished. "Do you know.who commissioned these starfighters'?

  "No," Mace Windu replied. "That's what Adi Gallia hoped to learn on

  Esseles. We haven't informed the Senate of our investigation because the droid

  starfighters may have been ordered by a member planet of the Galactic

  Republic. ft's possible that one of our allies is plotting a civil war, If

  that's the case, informing the Senate might alert the buyers to cover their

  trail, We've asked Jorus C'baoth not to notify any Senators of these

  proceedings. Until we have solid evidence identifying who paid for the

  starfighters, we need to maintain secrecy."

  "Secrecy?" Straining to keep his voice calm; Qui-Gon asked, "What of Adi

  Gallia? Is her life not worth more than yet another covert operation? In case

  you don't remember, I wouldn't be standing here now if she hadn't saved my

  life!"

  Obi-Wan was surprised by his Master's statement. Qui-Gon had never told

  him of an adventure with Adi Galtia.

  "This is why we have summoned you, Qui-Gon Jinn," Mace Windu answered.

  "You will lead two Jedi Knights to Esseles, to find Master Adi" At that

  moment, two more Jedi Knights entered the Council room. They were Vel Ardox

  and Noi'o Zak. Wearing a black wet suit, Vel'Ardox resembled a human; but she

  was an amphibious Biubreen from the Ploo Sector. Noro Zslc.his tapered ears

  and leathery, membranous wings indicated he was a Baxthrax.

  Qui-Gon nodded at the two Jedi Knights. He had fought alongside Vel and

  Noro in the past, and trusted them both;

  "Except for the circumstances, it's good to see you," Qui-Gon greeted.

  Turning for the door, he continued, "The four of us had better, get going to

  Esseles. Come, Obi-Wan "

  "Perhaps I was not clear, Qui-Gon," Mace Windu interrupted; "A Jedi

  Master is missing. This mission could be extremely dangerous; As an

  apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi is not ready for such an assignment. Your Padawan

  should remain here at the Temple."

  Qui-Gon glanced at Obi-Wan, searching his face for any reaction. Obi-Wan

  wore a relaxed expression and wisely remained silent. But Qui-Gon sensed he

  was disappointed.

  "Understood," Qui-Gon answered Mace Windu. 'Obi-Wan will help us prepare

  for departure."

  Watching Qui-Gon,Vel Ardox, Noro Zak, and Obi-Wan leave the Council

  chamber, Yoda said softly; "May the Force be with them."

  In the starship hanger at the Jedi Temple the Cruiser Radiant Vll."and

  its crew of eight ' a captain, two-copilots, two communications officers; and

  three engineers waited to transport the Jedi to Esseles. From the hangar deck,

  Obi-Wan watched as Qui-Gon followed Vel and Noro to the cruiser's main hatch.

  Of course, Obi-Wan had hoped to join Qui-Gon on the mission; He had fought

  beside his Master before and believed he was well trained for such an

  assignment. But the Padawan knew better than to Question Mace Windu's reasons

  for wanting him to stay on Coruscant. Also, he could feet relief within his

  disappointment.

  If Qui-Gon had argued with Mace Windu about allowing Obi-Wan to join the

  rescue team, it would have been embarrassing for the entire Council. Entering

  the Radiant Vll, Noro Z ak had to duck,. folding his thick-skinned wings tight

  against his back so they wouldn't scrape the ceiling. Qui-Gon watched from the

  open hatchway as Noro neatly arranged himself in a seat beside Vel Ardox.

  "You can close the hatch now, Master Qui-Gon;" Vel noted. "We're all

  ready.":

  "Not quite," Qui-Gon replied as he fidgeted with the hatch mechanism.

  Turning from the hatchway, Qui-Gon looked to the hangar deck and' called out

  to Obi-Wan.

  "Padawan I want you to take a look at this hatch. I think it's stuck."

  Wondering why Qui-Gon hadn't requested a proper droid mechanic, Obi-Wan

  left the deck and stepped into the cruiser. As soon as Obi-Wan was inside;

  Qui-Gon quickly sealed the hatch. - :

  "Ah!" Qui-Gon exclaimed. "It seems the hatchworks after all. Now,

  Padawan,

  since You're. on board, you should find yourself a seat. We've a long

  trip ahead of us;"

  "B-B-But; Master..." Obi-Wan stammered. "Mace Windu said I should remain

  "

  "I know what Mace Windu suggested," Qui-Gon interrupted, "but You're my

  responsibility. If I'm going to Esseles, I want you where you belong: at: my

  side!"

  Obi-Wan's gaze traveled from the sealed hatch to Qui-Gon's face. Despite

  the presence o
f Val and Noro, Qbi-Wan was compelled to protest.

  "Forgive me; Master, but you put me in an unfair position. You ask me to

  disobey either You or the Jedi Council."

  "I'm not asking you to disobey anyone, Padawan," Qui-Gon answered. "We

  both know you're ready for this mission. I want you to come to Esseles with us

  because I have a feeling we're going to need you there. if I'm asking for

  anything, it's your.: help." Turning to face the two seated Jedi Knights, Qui-

  Gon raised his eyebrows and asked, "Any questions?"

  Vel and Noro swapped glances. Turning to Obi-Wan; Noro inquired,

  "Would you like a window seat?" After a moment of hesitation, Obi-Wan

  stepped away from the sealed door.

  "I can't believe I'm doing this," he muttered. Qui-Gon grinned.

  "Glad we sorted that out"

  Leaning toward a wall-mounted comm unit, Qui - Gon addressed the Radiant

  VII's captain, stationed in the cruiser's cockpit. "We're all aboard, Captain.

  Prepare to launch."

  As Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan slipped into adjacent seats, Obi-Wan whispered,.

  "Master? I was unaware that Master Adi ever saved your life. Instead of

  answering immediately, Qui-Gon closed his eyes, preparing to enter a deep

  meditation.

  "I will tell you all about it, Padawan... after we rescue Adi Gallia."

  Chapter Three

  Minutes after leaving Coruscant, the Radiant Vll blasted into hyperspace.

  It was a difficult journey " to the Darpa Sector, requiring the nav computer

  to, delicately shift course from one trade route to another before reaching

  the Esseles system; Some time later, the cruiser exited hyperspace, arriving

  in orbit of Esseles.

  "Trinkatta Starships is on the outskirts of the KyCalamsr," Qui-Gon

  noted. The captain will land our cruiser at a discreet distance and remain

  with the ship. From there, we'll deploy the landspeeder."