User your jedi power to slice, smash and blast an army of battle droids. We are Jedi and we need to deal with them. We can't let them cloud our judgment. But suppressing them doesn't feel right either. Now that I've spoken out loud how I feel about him, I'm able to sort it out with him. The Jedi way is a hard one, but it's so much harder if you have to take on this path alone.” Tahl nodded.
Passed down from Master to apprentice, The Jedi Path is an ancient training manual that has educated and enlightened generations of Jedi. Within its pages, the Jedi-intraining will discover the history and lore of the Jedi Order, the ways of the Force and how to wield it, the subtle nuances of lightsaber combat, and the dangers of the Dark Side. The only remaining copy in existence, this hallowed tome features handwritten annotated notes by Yoda, Luke Skywalker, Count Dooku, and Darth Sidious, among many others.
Created in collaboration with Lucasfilm along with an acclaimed Star Wars author and revered Star Wars illustrators this volume also introduces never-before-seen ships, creatures, characters, and details about the Star Wars galaxy. VUCA is not just another acronym. Originally coined by the American military to describe a situation fraught with a variety of challenges, it now has a permanent place in the realms of strategic leadership. Those who have made it into an enterprise management role are finding that their leadership skills are truly being tried and tested on account of the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment we are in. Agility is now the name of the game. Developing one's leadership skills to match this requirement, and to not only surmount the challenges posed by the VUCA world but do so in a mature and authentic way, is what this book is all about. It gently submerges the reader into an impressive tank of knowledge that the authors, experts in the field of personal development, have amassed during their careers.
Psychology, mythology and examples of real-life enterprises are accompanied by the excellent analogy of one of our best-known heroes, Luke Skywalker of the Star Wars films, to illustrate that there is nothing to fear, that we all have the potential to act courageously. At regular intervals throughout the book, the reader is presented with thought-provoking questions and statements, the answers to which will help them eventually resurface with a clear picture of how to use their skills and talents to motivate themselves and others to proceed wisely in the corporate landscape. Contents: An expert guide from three vastly experienced and accomplished executive coaches Learn effectively at your own pace, any time and anywhere Convincing background knowledge and examples. This book discusses secularization, arguing that it may be more complex and significant than is generally recognized.
Using a number of online exploration methods, the author provides insights into how religion may be changing, and how information technology might be energized in this process. Working from the premise that the relationship between science and religion is complex, the author demonstrates that while science has contradicted some specific religious beliefs, science itself may have been facilitated by beliefs formed many centuries ago. Science assists engineers in the development of powerful new technologies, and asserts that the universe is based on a set of fundamental principles that can be understood by humans through the assistance of mathematics. The challenging ideas discussed will benefit readers through sharing a variety of Internet-based research methods and cultural discoveries. The book provides a balance between quantitative methods, illustrated by 24 tables of statistics, and qualitative methods, illustrated by 30 screenshots of computer-generated virtual worlds. Analysis interweaves with description, creating a sense of involvement in the experience of exploring online realities at the same time as radical insights are shared. A funny, poignant and inspirational story of widely acclaimed comedian, writer and producer, Tim Ferguson.
Tim Ferguson was a star of the international comedy circuit. Along with Paul McDermott and Richard Fidler he was part of the edgy, provocative and very funny Doug Anthony Allstars (DAAS). In 1994 they were at the height of their powers, performing in a season at the Criterion Theatre on Piccadilly Circus. The three mates, who began busking on the streets of Canberra a decade earlier, had achieved their ambition to become the self-styled rock stars of comedy. Then, all of a sudden, Tim woke up one morning and his whole left side wouldn't work. He'd had a lurking suspicion that something was wrong and after more episodes he went to a doctor thinking he'd be told to change his diet and get more sleep. It wasn't so simple.
An eventual diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) meant an end to the frenetic, high-energy life he was living. Carry a Big Stick is a chance for Tim to tell his story. He wants to make people laugh but also give inspiration to all the people doing it hard. A lot of people keep MS to themselves because it's invisible. In Tim's case, he has the stick. 'It's such a visible sign that something's happened; it's just easier if people know.' Carry a Big Stick meanders through Tim's life, and explains how the boy who went to nine schools in 13 years got used to saying, 'Hi, I'm the new kid'.
It will detail his ambitions to become an actor and how the Doug Anthony Allstars were born and went on to become what Rolling Stone called 'The 3 amigos from hell'. Diagnosis changed a lot of things but Tim's quick wit and sense of humour weren't affected.
This inspiring memoir shows us that you can laugh in the face of adversity. The most successful film franchise of all time, Star Wars thrillingly depicts an epic multigenerational conflict fought a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. But the Star Wars saga has as much to say about successful strategies and real-life warfare waged in our own time and place. Strategy Strikes Back brings together over thirty of today’s top military and strategic experts, including generals, policy advisors, seasoned diplomats, counterinsurgency strategists, science fiction writers, war journalists, and ground‐level military officers, to explain the strategy and the art of war by way of the Star Wars films.
Each chapter of Strategy Strikes Back provides a relatable, outside‐the‐box way to simplify and clarify the complexities of modern military conflict. A chapter on the case for planet building on the forest moon of Endor by World War Z author Max Brooks offers a unique way to understand our own sustained engagement in war-ravaged societies such as Afghanistan.
Another chapter on the counterinsurgency waged by Darth Vader against the Rebellion sheds light on the logic behind past military incursions in Iraq. Whether using the destruction of Alderaan as a means to explore the political implications of targeting civilians, examining the pivotal decisions made by Yoda and the Jedi Council to differentiate strategic leadership in theory and in practice, or considering the ruthlessness of Imperial leaders to explain the toxicity of top-down leadership in times of war and battle, Strategy Strikes Back gives fans of Star Wars and aspiring military minds alike an inspiring and entertaining means of understanding many facets of modern warfare.
It is a book as captivating and enthralling as Star Wars itself. Adieu to God examines atheism from a psychological perspective and reveals how religious phenomena and beliefs are psychological rather than supernatural in origin. Answers the psychological question of why, in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary, do religions continue to prosper? Looks at atheism and religion using a fair and balanced approach based on the latest work in psychology, sociology, anthropology, psychiatry and medicine Acknowledges the many psychological benefits of religion while still questioning the validity of its supernatural belief systems and providing atheist alternatives to a fulfilling life.
Summary:Author's comment about the structure of this story:This is the end of Part I in Book I of 'The Path of a Jedi'. Book I will have three Parts, centering on the timeline of TPM. The first Part took place before TPM and the next Part will take place during TPM. Book II will center on AOTC and Book III will take place around ROTS. Each Part in each Book will center on a certain space of time and with each new Part there will be a time-jump. There will be references to canon but as you already have noticed the future will change.
The story will concentrate on Obi-Wan and how he deals with his new life. As I warned all of you before it will be an Obidala at some point;) I want to finish the whole plot for one Part before publishing it. So you won't have to wait too long for an update while reading a Part.
But in between two Parts I will need a little bit more time to plan out the next Part. Once more thank you so much for your interest and your awesome reviews! Chapter TextChapter 19One week later Obi-Wan had been finally dismissed from the healers. He returned to the quarters he shared with Qui-Gon, feeling relieved to be in his own surroundings again. Master Tahl had instructed him to rest, prohibiting any kind of sparring and physical training. As a result he tried to meditate and sort things out for himself. He had to admit that he really needed the privacy and quiet at the moment.
The last few weeks he hadn't found enough time to think about his new life. However, now that he finally seemed to have the opportunity to do it, he wasn't able to center himself. Every meditation led to painful memories and almost every night ended in a terrible nightmare.
He felt reminded of his years on Tatooine when he hadn't been able to sleep undisturbed. Two weeks had passed and the nightmares had only increased. The last week he hadn't been able to sleep more than one hour a night.Qui-Gon had tried to help him. But after a week Obi-Wan had told him in a rather unfriendly way that he was able to cope with his problems on his own. After that the Master had kept his distance, accepting Obi-Wan's wish to be alone. They still shared meals, Qui-Gon trying to make conversation by chatting about the temple's gossip.
But apart from that the Master left in the morning and returned not before mid-meal. In the afternoon he instructed the Senior Padawans in lightsaber combat. Obi-Wan felt relieved when Qui-Gon wasn't around. He just couldn't stand the permanent look of concern in his former Master's face.Most of the time he sat on the floor looking out of the window. The floating traffic of Coruscant seemed to be the only thing calming him down. He found peace at the image of life out there. But this peace didn't last long.
Every time he closed his reddened eyes, images of his past overwhelmed him and he had to look back out of the window to anchor himself in the here and now.He recited Jedi wisdom to himself, repeated it endlessly. 'Concentrate on the here and now!' , 'Don't center on your anxieties!' , 'Your focus determines your reality!'
, 'There is no emotion, there is peace!' But nothing helped.Last night had been even worse than the other ones. He hadn't been able to sleep at all. Qui-Gon had felt his exhaustion but hadn't approached him again.
Obi-Wan was well aware of the fact that his former Master wouldn't tolerate this any longer. He would have interfered long ago if Obi-Wan were still his Padawan.
The Knight groaned at the prospect of having to see a mind healer. Too fresh was his memory of Master Reendorr, Darth Tahrun, entering his mind violently. The alternative would be to open himself to Qui-Gon. But he wasn't able to do that. His former Master wasn't prepared to see the images that currently plagued him.Perhaps if he gave himself fully over to the Force, he would find some peace?
He surely had tried to meditate but he always had drawn back at the first glimpse of a bad memory. His instinct had told him, he wouldn't be able to come back if he gave himself over to these images. But perhaps this was the only way to get through it? At least it as worth a try.Determined, he centered himself and settled into a deep meditation.
“You can't continue like that, Qui,” Tahl said, placing a mug of tea in front of her friend, who sat bleary-eyed at the small table in her kitchen.Qui-Gon nodded, “I know, Tahl, but he wouldn't let me help. Ever since he left the healers wing he shuts himself away. I hear him scream in the middle of the night and I know, he doesn't sleep. You should see him he.” he sighed in frustration.She took his hand in hers. “You have to talk to Master Yoda.”He shook his head. “Master Yoda would say that if I am not able to help him, he has to go to a mind healer. I can't do that to him.
Who knows how this Sith has messed with his mind?”Tahl wasn't able to respond. She knew that Qui-Gon was right. Obi-Wan needed help but a mind-healer wasn't an option.“Since we can't help your former Padawan to get some sleep at the moment, I'd suggest that you get some rest at least.” She stood up and reached out for him. Too tired to refuse, he followed her into the living room, where she led him to the couch.“Try to find some peace, Qui,” she said handing him over a blanket.
“You won't help Obi-Wan if you aren't able to think clearly.”Gratefully, he nodded and didn't resist her Force-suggestion sending him into a deep sleep. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon stood in the middle of the Council-chamber. A nine-year old Anakin was with them.“He is to be trained then?” Qui-Gon asked and was met with silence.Then Mace spoke up, shaking his head, “No, he will not be trained.”“No?” Qui-Gon asked with surprise in his voice.“He is too old,” Mace replied.“He is the Chosen One. You must see it,” Qui-Gon insisted“Hmmm, clouded this boy's future is,” Master Yoda said.“I will train him then,” Qui-Gon stated and was met with a shocked expression on Obi-Wan's face.
“I take Anakin as my Padawan learner.”“An apprentice you have, Qui-Gon,” the diminutive Master replied. “Impossible it is to take on a second.”“The code forbids it,” Mace added.“Obi-Wan is ready,” Qui-Gon countered.“I am ready to face the trials,” Obi-Wan said and stepped forward.“Our own counsel we will keep on who is ready,” Master Yoda said in a firm voice.“He is headstrong and he has much to learn about the Living Force, but he is capable. There's little more he can learn from me,” Qui-Gon said, receiving a puzzled look from Obi-Wan.The scene changed, Qui-Gon lying on the floor, a fatal wound in his chest, Obi-Wan weeping.“Promise me, you will train the boy. He is the Chosen One.”Obi-Wan replying with tears in his eyes, “Yes, Master.”And then: overwhelming grief, feelings of betrayal, fire, desperation, dead younglings killed by a lightsaber.Qui-Gon jerked upright, fighting the images coming to his mind.
With a cry he closed his bond with Obi-Wan and buried his head in his hands trying to regain his composure.The door opened and Tahl rushed in.“Qui,” she said alarmed and knelt down besides him trying to shake him out of his trance. “What's wrong?”He wasn't able to respond until he felt soothing waves coming from her. Slowly he looked up with a blank stare.“Did you have a nightmare?” She asked,placing a hand on his temples. “Please, speak to me.”He shook his head.
Then he began to stutter, “No. It's Obi-Wan.!”He took her hand and looked into her eyes with a desperate glance. “I saw what he saw. It's horrible.” He breathed in and out, trying to get air.Then he stood up, taking her with him.
He took her hands and said with determination, “He's lost in his memories. I have to go and help him.”She nodded, not able to speak as Qui-Gon already rushed out. When Qui-Gon entered their quarters he almost started to panic. Obi-Wan was lying motionless on the floor.
His eyelids fluttered, a sign that he still was deep in his trance, reliving painful memories.Qui-Gon fought his fear and knelt down, carefully touching the Knight's shoulder. He reached out into the Force and concentrated on making a connection over the bond./Memories, Obi-Wan, merely memories. This is not happening,/ he sent with determination. But the young man didn't show a reaction.Once more Qui-Gon focused on the bond and let himself be guided by the Force. Without thinking he felt what he had to do./Padawan,/ he sent sternly, /come out of it, now!/The firmness of his order showed a result.
Immediately Obi-Wan opened his eyes, his whole body shaking.Qui-Gon noticed that he still was far away but at least he had come out of his meditation. Ignoring the blank stare he pulled the young man in a sitting position.“Listen, Obi-Wan,” he said. “You need to calm down.”He stood up and supported Obi-Wan, guiding the younger man to follow him. Without another word he placed him down onto the couch and left to get a glass of water. When he returned Obi-Wan was sitting silently on the couch. Emotionless, he looked at the Master and took the glass Qui-Gon was offering. Qui-Gon sat down beside him, waiting for the young man to calm down.Obi-Wan inhaled deeply then he looked up.
“Thank you, Qui-Gon,” he said, his voice still shaking.Qui-Gon fought against his emotions but wasn't able to succeed. “What the Sith were you thinking? Three weeks you're bottling up everything and then you meditate without any help? You should know better.”“Yes, I should,” Obi-Wan replied in a low voice. “But who could have helped me? I can't show you what's haunting me.”“And why is that?” Qui-Gon asked incredulously.“I won't place this burden on your shoulders, Qui-Gon,” the Knight answered with determination.“Oh, you're trying to protect me then,” Qui-Gon said with a hint of sarcasm. “I'll tell you something, Obi-Wan.
I am a Jedi Master and I'm more than capable of protecting myself. You know what I think?
I think the Force provided us our bond for a good reason. The Force, unlike you, knew you would need help. So don't act like you're alone. I'm with you and I know how to cope with your memories.”Obi-Wan swallowed but Qui-Gon wasn't finished yet.“You know what? You deal with Jedi here, Jedi who are able to deal with visions, Jedi who know that the future isn't determined. You've been a Jedi Master?
Sometimes I can't believe that. A Jedi Master should know when he needs help.
A Jedi Master would deal with his emotions not bottle them up. And.” He paused, calming himself down. “A Jedi Master wouldn't make the people who are worrying about him suffer.”Obi-Wan looked at him with a shocked expression in his eyes. Feeling that his words had reached him at last, Qui-Gon sighed with exasperation. “You have to trust me, Obi-Wan. Don't try to protect me.
It's making things worse.”Calmly Obi-Wan nodded. “I think, I needed that,” he said wryly.Qui-Gon felt relief as he sensed Obi-Wan's agreement over the bond. In a softer tone he said, “Yes, I think you needed that.
You really have to stop acting like this. In the end you won't be able to protect me at all.
One way or the other I have to share what's bothering you. And believe me, it's easier if you choose to let me in. You would be able to show it to me with a clear mind and I wouldn't be forced to rescue you.”The Knight looked at Qui-Gon with wide eyes. “You saw it,” he said and sighed with frustration.Qui-Gon nodded. “I wish you would tell me what's haunting you. I really hate it to feel you suffer.
It makes me suffering, too.”“I'm sorry. I'm still trying to decide which one of my memories I can share,” Obi-Wan tried to explain.“Oh, Obi-Wan, stop it!” Qui-Gon almost yelled. “Do you really think the Force would allow us to have a bond like that if it were dangerous? I already know more than I should.
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I am here to help you cope with your memories. Don't tell me you haven't understood that until now. I'm your anchor in this reality.”He felt Obi-Wan reaching out into the Force trying to get a confirmation. Then the Knight smiled wanly and nodded silently.Qui-Gon smiled back.
We can do it together. I'm stuck with you.
So, don't make this too hard for both of us.”He stood up. “I need to calm Tahl. She must be worried after I fled her quarters. And then, my former Padawan, we will have a long talk.”. Mace and Yoda were seated in Master Yoda's quarters, the blue-shimmering form of Master Dooku before them.“I think I've found the first clue. But it's inaccurate.
I need to investigate more,” Dooku reported.“Know the importance of this mission you do, Dooku. Accurate information we need,” the diminutive Master said solemnly.Dooku nodded. “I am aware of that.
I will follow the trace and report to you when I have the opportunity.”Mace looked thoughtfully. “Do you think this trace is promising?”“I don't know, Master Windu, but I have to check it out.”“Careful you must be. No one must know that a Jedi you are,” Yoda said.Dooku inclined his head. “I won't give away my identity, Masters.”Mace gave him a nod.
“May the Force be with you, Master Dooku.”“And with you, Masters.” Then the blue-shimmering form disappeared.“Do you think he will succeed?” Mace asked with concern in his voice.“Never too sure we can be. But the best man for this mission he is,” Master Yoda replied. “What did this Sith do to you?” Qui-Gon asked after he had informed Tahl that he and Obi-Wan were all right.“He made a mind probe,” Obi-Wan replied calmly. “And he tried to exploit my weak point to turn me.”“I presume that would be our relationship,” Qui-Gon stated, trying to hide his sadness that the Qui-Gon of Obi-Wan’s former life had let it come to this.Obi-Wan nodded. “Though he didn't know how weak this point would be.
He tried to manipulate me but he wasn't able to succeed. I was familiar with the technique he used.” Qui-Gon remained silent.
He knew that Obi-Wan referred to an experience of his former life. “I was able to resist but it evoked this particular memory and its.” He seemed to search for the right word. Outcome,” he finished.Qui-Gon remembered this particular memory all too well. “I really did this?” he asked. “I simply shoved you aside because of Anakin?”Obi-Wan couldn't fight a smile. “That's really odd talking about something you have done while you never did it.”Qui-Gon gave him a look full of relief.
“Honestly, I am glad you are able to see a difference between me and the Qui-Gon you knew. But as odd as it seems it could have happened again. So, why did I do it?”“You. You were convinced the Force had brought Anakin and you together for a reason. Perhaps you really thought that I was ready to take the trials. We just never had the opportunity to clarify the subject. You died and I promised to train Anakin.
First I was angry that you left me with this burden. But then I was grateful to have someone to care for. I decided to make you proud and Anakin became like a brother to me. And then I failed.”“We already spoke about that, Obi-Wan. You remember?
Xanatos?” Qui-Gon replied seriously. “You really have to work through these feelings. However, now we have to focus on the present. I assume your encounter with the Sith disturbed you more than you'd like to admit. There is still a feeling of betrayal towards me. Qui-Gon, I mean.
The Qui-Gon of your former life. You have to concentrate on that. Explore what you need to do to overcome it.”Obi-Wan gave him a nod. “You're right, the feeling still exists. I thought I was able to cope with it.
But I simply suppressed it.”“Perhaps this is one of the reasons why you are here, to learn to deal with your emotions rather than suppress them. This issue has been bothering me ever since you. Came back.”Obi-Wan looked at him with surprise.
“It has?”Qui-Gon smiled. “Yes, it has. When I saw you almost die, I was finally able to admit that I came to love you like the son I never had. And I started to ask myself why I shouldn't tell you that. I.” he stopped as he saw tears glistening in Obi-Wan's eyes.
“Obi-Wan?” He asked with concern in his voice.Obi-Wan swallowed. “You told me I had to explore what I would need to overcome my fear of betrayal. I think you just gave me one thing I need,” he said.Qui-Gon smiled and gave Obi-Wan a hug. “You see, we already have changed the future. I really think we should focus on the issue of emotions.
We both have much to learn in this department.”Obi-Wan laughed. “It's so typical that you would tell me that you love me in a side-note. I can't imagine Qui-Gon Jinn saying: Obi-Wan, I love you. Besides you always were the father I never had.”Now both of them laughed out loud.
“I think that was enough emotional exchange for one evening. One cannot expect more of two sophisticated Jedi Masters,” Qui-Gon said still laughing.“You're right,” Obi-Wan agreed then he looked up once more getting serious. “You know, Qui-Gon, I always imagined us being together like this, as equals. I'm really looking forward to exploring Force-issues with you in the future.”.
The next morning Qui-Gon had invited Tahl for a visit. After he had made the breakthrough concerning Obi-Wan's recovery, he decided it was time to tell the young man how profoundly he had changed. Masters Yoda and Windu had given their permission to let Obi-Wan in on the secret about the increased Midichlorian count. However, when he and Tahl sat in the living-room drinking tea, Obi-Wan was still asleep.
The exhaustion after weeks without proper sleep seemed to have caught up to him.He told Tahl what had happened, carefully avoiding to share any of Obi-Wan's memories. After he had finished, Tahl smiled, relieved. “It seems that you were really able to help him, Qui,” she said. “I can't believe you told him that you love him.
This is so.un-Jedi,” she finished, not able to fight the urge to laugh about her own word-creation.Qui-Gon had to laugh, too. “That is precisely what it is, Tahl, very un-Jedi. But you know that I've been thinking about it for a long time now. I just can't believe that the Force wants us to deny our emotions. We are Jedi and we need to deal with them.
We can't let them cloud our judgment. But suppressing them doesn't feel right either. Now that I've spoken out loud how I feel about him, I'm able to sort it out with him. The Jedi way is a hard one, but it's so much harder if you have to take on this path alone.”Tahl nodded. “Yes, you're right about the Jedi way being hard.
But what will you do if you had to choose between his life and the greater good? Isn't that one of the reasons why we aren't allowed to have an attachment?
Wouldn't this choice be unbearable?”“I don't think love must lead to attachment. The choice would be unbearable either way because I can't fight what I feel. Even if I hadn't told him, I would love him. The only way for me is to learn how to deal with this love – to be able to let him go. Love is a natural part of life.
It's pure and I can't see any darkness in it. Only if we allow it to become a desire to possess somebody, it gets dangerous. No, I don't think our ancestors wanted us to suppress our feelings. There were Jedi who shared a life-bond in the past. It's difficult and it's hard to work on it, but it's possible to find the balance between love and being a Jedi.
I am sure about that.”“The Council wouldn't approve of that,” she stated with a sad expression in her eyes.He let out an exasperated sigh. “The Council is led by fear in this, Tahl. They know that there were Jedi in the past that fell because of their attachment. So they keep to the non-attachment rule. But aren't we taught not to act out of fear? I know I won't be able to change the Council's politics.
But as long as I behave like a Jedi, who places the greater good first, they can't interfere in my personal affairs.”Tahl became silent and her gaze wandered to the window. Qui-Gon could feel she was thinking about what he had said.
Then she looked up, tears glistening in her eyes. “Qui,” she said, “you know.”He took her hands and smiled warmly. “I know, Tahl. I don't want us to hide our feelings any longer. What I said about Obi-Wan and me applies all the more for you and me. I've loved you for so long and I want us to deal with it.
We can't act on it. We both know that. But we are Jedi and we will be able to sort things out.”She smiled and placed her head on his shoulder. “You're right, I feel better now that you've spoken it out loud,” she said.
When Obi-Wan entered the living-room a few hours later he found his former Master and Master Tahl in an intimate conversation. He was surprised that the tension he normally felt around these two seemed to have disappeared. Both of them greeted him warmly and Qui-Gon offered him a mug of tea. He sat down across from them and sipped at his tea when Qui-Gon spoke up, “I've invited Tahl for a reason, Obi-Wan. She has to tell you something of great importance.”Obi-Wan looked at the healer with a wary expression. He hoped she wouldn't tell him that he was ill. She smiled at him and immediately his bad feeling disappeared.“You remember that I've run a blood test a few weeks ago,” she asked.
He gave her a nod, he surely remembered that. It had been a few days after he had come into this life.“You told me everything was all right,” he said.She nodded. “Yes, I told you that. But something had changed.” She paused and then, gathering enough courage, she continued, “Your Midichlorian count has increased significantly.”He was shocked and stuttered, “How.
How much?”Qui-Gon stepped in. “It's over 20,000. It's almost as high as Anakin's,” he stated.Obi-Wan inhaled sharply. This wasn't possible.
But it explained his altered connection to the Force. He had wondered why he had been able to heal this fast. And it explained how he had been able to penetrate the strong Force-shield in that warehouse. “What does this mean?” he asked looking at the two Masters.Qui-Gon shook his head. “We don't know, Obi-Wan.”Obi-Wan reached out into the Force but, for the first time since he had arrived here, he felt no desperation when he wasn't able to feel an answer to his questions. He sensed the approval of the Force and he knew that all his questions would be answered one day. He looked sheepishly at his former Master.
“I'm sorry, but I think I'll need your help to learn how to deal with that.”Qui-Gon and Tahl both smiled. “It will be my honor to help you with that, my former Padawan,” the Master said. The next few weeks Obi-Wan focused on his recovery. Finally free of his nightmares, he was able to meditate properly and deal with his memories. After the first two weeks Tahl gave him permission to begin with physical training again.
After practicing katas he and Qui-Gon slowly moved from light sparring to lightsaber combat training. With his physical strength returning Obi-Wan also regained his mental strength. He was able to simply accept what was happening to him and let himself be guided by the Force.Every evening he and Qui-Gon discussed Force-issues as they had agreed to call it. They spoke about their past and about Obi-Wan's memories and they developed a new relationship. After a few weeks they informed the Council of Obi-Wan's full recovery and offered to be ready for a new mission as a team. But instead of sending them out at once, Master Yoda decided to keep the team grounded until he felt the time was right. Obi-Wan suspected that the diminutive Master wanted to be sure about his mental strength, a team like he and Qui-Gon would be assigned to the more dangerous missions, and Yoda never had been one to take a risk.So they continued their companionable routine, including Tahl from time to time in their evening-discussions.
Obi-Wan began to meet again with his old friends: Bant, Siri and Garen. Finally he was able to enjoy their company. One could say he had adjusted well to his new life. Then one evening Mace came to their quarters and informed them that they would leave the next day for a mission.That evening Obi-Wan left Qui-Gon alone and went to the Room of a Thousand Fountains. He felt the urge to meditate alone.
Thoughts about what had happened in the space of the last months came to him. Merely a few months before he had been a lonely Jedi living in his exile on Tatooine, now he was surrounded by his friends and had found a new relationship with Qui-Gon. The Force had provided him a new life and he was determined to live it. There still remained questions but he was ready to face his new future. Smiling, he allowed himself for the first time to hope that this future would be a better one.
He was ready.