Chapter 2
The day following the revelation of Deputy Minister Jerec’s true recording to the Senate, Obi-Wan awoke in the Jedi Temple for the last time. He dressed in his robes, realising that he would probably never wear them again, he did not put on his armor. He looked at his reflection in the mirror thinking about whether or not he should shave his beard off. He neatly combed his hair and groomed his beard deciding that he would keep it, for the time being. He preferred it, rather than the boyish face underneath. Maybe Satine would get used to it? After checking his reflection, Obi-Wan made his way to the dining area for breakfast.
He sat at a table alone, sipping on a strong cup of tea.
‘Hey, Obi-Wan,’ a familiar voice said, ‘Mind if I sit with you?’
Quinlan Vos set his tray down on the table across from Obi-Wan before he could reply.
‘Hello Quinlan,’ said Obi-Wan, then took another sip of tea. Obi-Wan tried to avoid eye contact with his dear friend.
‘Where’s your armor, Obi-Wan?’ asked Quinlan. Obi-Wan put down his cup and held his chin in his hand.
‘What’s wrong? What are you thinking about?’ continued Quinlan. His brown eyes searched Obi-Wan’s face for any sign of emotion but detected nothing, except a brief hint of uncertainty.
Finally Obi-Wan looked up at Quinlan. Their eyes met.
‘Sorry, friend, I’ve just got a lot on my mind right now,’ said Obi-Wan. Tears started to prick at the corner of his blue eyes, but he quickly blinked them away.
‘Are you ok?’
‘Yes, better than ever, it’s just I don’t know if I’ll ever see you again.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I’m leaving,’ confessed Obi-Wan quietly.
‘What? You mean quitting?’
Obi-Wan nodded.
‘Why?’
‘I just found out that I have a son and my duty now lies with him, and his mother, not the Jedi Order.’
‘I know you’re a ladies’ man, Obi-Wan, but I never expected this from you. First Siri, now this? Who else?’
‘There’s no one else. Her name is Satine. It was a long time ago. We we’re young and foolish. I didn’t know about our child until my voyage on the Coronet during my last mission. And…she still loves me.’
‘But what about you? How do you feel?’
‘Honestly, being in her presence again has brought back my deep affection for her. I asked her to marry me.’
Quinlan slammed his palm on the table: ‘Wow! So you’re just gonna leave us all behind for a happily ever after and forget about us?’
‘It’s not like that, Quinlan. I’ll never forget you, you’re a dear friend. You’re welcome to visit anytime.’
‘I’ll take any excuse to get out of the Temple to spend time with you, Obi-Wan.’
‘I just don’t know how I’m going to tell Anakin.’
‘Tell me what?’ said Anakin as he approached Obi-Wan and Quinlan’s table.
‘Anakin,’ said Obi-Wan, ‘I have some important news for you, but first I must speak with the Council.’
‘Where’s your armor? Are we going on a new mission to a neutral planetary system?’
Anakin had hit too near the mark, perhaps he had seen a glimpse into the future. Quinlan looked on with curiosity while he ate his breakfast in big mouthfuls.
Obi-Wan drained his cup. He didn’t touch his food. He wasn’t hungry; his stomach churned with anxiety. Before he left the dining area, Obi-Wan gave Quinlan a hug. Quinlan clung on to him; tears fell down his yellow-tattooed brown cheeks. Anakin did not see Quinlan’s tears.
‘Please, Quinlan, I have to go now. I can’t be late; the Council is waiting for me.’
Quinlan wiped his eyes and reluctantly let go. Then he shook Obi-Wan’s hand and said: ‘See you again soon, brother. May the Force be with you.’
‘May the Force be with you,’ replied Obi-Wan. The two men smiled at each other, Obi-Wan cleared his tray away, then headed out and down the hall.
Anakin followed, his long strides kept him at pace beside Obi-Wan. ‘I’m coming with you to the Council, aren’t I?’ questioned Anakin.
‘No, Anakin. You must wait for me outside. Then I will inform you.’
Anakin frowned: ‘There’s something you’re not telling me, Master. Please, what is it? It seems like you can tell Master Vos, but not me. Why not? I was your Padawan!’
Obi-Wan halted and turned to Anakin: ‘I gave you clear instructions that you must wait for me to speak with the Council first. Then you will know. Be patient, Anakin.’
The frown did not leave Anakin’s face as they began walking again. They took the turbolift up the High Council Tower in the corner of the ziggurat-shaped Temple, but did not speak. The turbolift doors opened to reveal the antechamber leading to the Council chamber. There stood two Jedi guards with their double bladed yellow lightsabers.
‘You can sit in the antechamber and wait for me,’ said Obi-Wan to Anakin.
The guards opened the door and let them pass into the antechamber. There two more Jedi guards stood. Anakin took a seat. The frown seemed to have permanently settled on his face.
‘Anakin, don’t look so glum. I will see you soon.’
Anakin crossed his arms: ‘You know that patience is not a strength of mine.’
The guards opened the door to the Council chamber. Anakin watched his old Master walk through until the door closed behind him.
* * *
There in the Council chamber, the 12 Jedi Masters awaited him: some in the flesh, some as holograms. Obi-Wan bowed before them in greeting.
Then Master Yoda spoke: News, you have for us, Master Kenobi, hmm?
‘Yes, Master Yoda,’ Obi-Wan replied. He removed his lightsaber from his belt and held it out before him, saying: ‘I am leaving the Jedi Order. I will be a Knight no longer; neither will I live by the Code.’
‘Why do you say this?’ questioned Master Windu, his dark eyes were fixed on Obi-Wan and he steepled his fingers together.
‘During my last mission Duchess Satine of Mandalore has informed me that I am the father of her son, Korkie Kryze.’
There was no outcry from the Council; their silence was more damning than anything.
‘If this is true, then you broke the Code as a Padawan.’
‘Yes, Master Windu, it’s true, I had an attachment with Satine Kryze. I am sorry and realise that I must take responsibility for my actions. I will marry Satine and together we will be the parents that Korkie never had. I intend to leave with her today.’
‘To Skywalker, hard will this be to reveal,’ remarked Master Yoda, ‘Take your leaving well, he will not. Anger, I sense.’
‘I sense it too, Master Yoda,’ replied Obi-Wan, ‘I am surrendering my lightsaber to you. Satine would think it wrong of me to keep it.’ So Obi-Wan stepped forward and handed his lightsaber into Yoda’s green wrinkled hands. Then he stepped back.
‘Go to Jocasta Nu, you must. Tell you all about your family and home planet, she will.’
‘Then you must break the news to young Skywalker,’ said Master Windu, ‘Be mindful of how you do so. May the Force be with you.’
‘May the Force be with you,’ replied Obi-Wan with a bow and exited the chamber.