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176 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2002
"I know, I know," Anakin said. "Feel my anger, and let it go. But do I have to be a Jedi all the time, even in space traffic?" He flashed a grin at his Master. He knew the answer.
"You are a Jedi every moment," Obi-Wan said. "Even when another cruiser is sneaking in to your right." [...] "If you allowed someone to cut in line, we would lose five minutes' time. Would that be so bad?"
His Master could always find an opportunity for a lesson, even while waiting to land in a crowded space-lane. "I guess not," Anakin said. "We're not in a hurry. But it's not right for them to try to sneak ahead of others."
"No," Obi-Wan said. "But that is the other pilot's choice. By trying to prevent him, you are feeding your own anger and impatience. Perhaps that is worse."
Anakin saw his Master's point. That was the trouble. Obi-Wan always made sense. The only problem was that Obi-Wan didn't understand how good it felt when Anakin had zoomed ahead, preventing the cruiser from cutting in.
"And is that your mission on Euceron, to free Djulla?" Obi-Wan asked sternly.
"No," Anakin said. "But was it Qui-Gon's mission to free me? Must we follow a mission so exactly that we turn our backs on beings who need help? Every mission has a detour. You've told me that."
"I've also told you that it is the mark of a Jedi to recognize whether or not to follow the detour," Obi-Wan reminded him.
"Then I ask you to let me make this choice," Anakin replied.
His Padawan's voice was firm. There was no pleading, no uncertainty. He wanted what he wanted. Was that the right thing in this circumstance?
Anakin took a step toward him but again his Master stopped him.
"He is my enemy," Anakin said.
"You are a Jedi," Obi-Wan told him. His voice was low and pitched only for Anakin. "You are a Jedi," he repeated.
The mist in Anakin's head cleared. He took a breath and looked around.
It wasn't that Obi-Wan lacked compassion, Anakin mused. It was just that there was a little more distance between him and other living beings.
Qui-Gon had not been able to pass along his connection to the Living Force to his Padawan, Anakin felt.
Anakin treasured his Master. But sometimes he wondered what it would have been like to have Qui-Gon as a Master instead. Would Qui-Gon have shared his feelings more easily? Anakin had felt a connection to Qui-Gon from the start. It had taken more time with Obi-Wan. It was still taking time.
"I just wanted to say," Didi began, smoothing his tunic with plump fingers, "how my entire being is convulsed with joy to see your handsome and noble face once again — "
"You want a favor," Obi-Wan said flatly. He was fond of Didi, but he did not for one second think that Didi would hesitate to take advantage of their friendship.
"Do you really think," Obi-Wan said, exasperated, "that I have time to help you make up a bad deal?"
"Of course not, you are so busy being strong and good," Didi said.
• Anakin decides that, obviously, the best way to help the mission is for him to participate in an underground podrace. Personally, I LOVE to see that kid in a podracer and I would let him race as much as he wants. RIP to Obi-Wan, but I'm different.
• No offense to Qui-Gon's memory, but I hate Didi so much. He might not be pure evil, but he is the worst and I wash my hands of him.
• I have a pretty bad feeling about Bog. I feel like he's going to come up later in a not-good way.
• Obi-Wan to Siri: You watch the bowcaster contest, while I patrol the holographic obstacle course event.
Me, vibrating in my seat: I've seen Deception Arc. I know how this ends.
Obi-Wan: *gets trapped into running the obstacle course and wins a Space Olympic medal*
Me: YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
"And is that your mission on Euceron, to free Djulla?" Obi-Wan asked sternly.
"No," Anakin said. "But was it Qui-Gon's mission to free me? Must we follow a mission so exactly that we turn our backs on beings who need help? Every mission has a detour. You've told me that."