Chapter 3

"Have you heard of Alonia?" Mace Windu asked Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan thought for a moment as he chewed his Corellian steak sandwich. A bit well done, but not bad. Swallowing the meat, he turned his attention to the Jedi on his left.

"I believe that Alonia is a planet," he answered, "located somewhere in the Middle Rim."

"That's right," Mace Windu replied. He reached in front of Obi-Wan and activated a small holoprojector. A beautiful jewel of a planet, blue, green and brown with swirling silver-white clouds, sprung into view.

Recognition sparked in Obi-Wan's mind. Images of events and friends long past spun through his head.

"I've been there before," he spoke, staring at the rotating globe before him. "I have friends there. One good friend in particular. His name is Cort Raifen, and he is the heir to the throne in Alonia. The Alonian royal family is probably one of the few monarchies left with any real power. Most other ruling houses are simply becoming figureheads that are run by the Senate, like on Naboo. Chancellor Palpatine is the one who seems to be gaining control of that planet."

The older Jedi nodded in agreement. "The reason that the subject of Alonia was brought up is that your friend contacted us to request our help. In fact, he specifically asked for the help of Qui-Gon Jinn," Mace Windu said. He continued, noticing the somber expression on Obi-Wan's face at the mention of the name. "The Prince was noticeably hurt when I relayed the news of Qui-Gon's death to him. He wanted us to tell you that he was sorry he hadn't known that or else he would have contacted you. That was when he asked for you to come to Alonia and help him, Obi-Wan."

"Me?" Obi-Wan asked. "But I was only sixteen the last time he saw me! Qui-Gon was giving us a joint lesson, and Cort fared ten times better than I did, even though he is three years younger than I am. Qui-Gon said he had never seen anyone so skilled at that age. On one occasion when we were there, I managed to trip over my own feet and somehow crash into Qui-Gon. What makes him think that I am capable of handling whatever problem he is to present me with?"

Mace Windu let out a small laugh at the thought of a young and gangly Obi-Wan crashing into the tall and stately Jedi Master. "Qui-Gon kept in touch with the Raifen family during the busy years of your training," he explained.

"Know you are capable, he does," spoke Yoda.

"What about Cort's father?" Obi-Wan wanted to know. "Isn't he still king?"

"Alder Raifen is still the king," Mace explained. "However, he has grown ill with age. For the sake of appearances, he is still the king, but has been reduced to a figurehead. His son is running everything behind the scenes, at his father's request. That is why Cort sent the message for help."

"Oh," was all Obi-Wan could answer, eyes open wide upon hearing the explanation. Cort? Running a whole planet? Now that is something I'll have to see for myself!

"I also explained to Cort that you are training a Padawan yourself and he insisted that you bring Anakin along." Mace quickly added, sensing the question the Jedi was about to ask.

Obi-Wan cocked his head to the side as if he was weighing the information that he had heard so far. "What is so dire about the situation on Alonia, though, that the local military could not handle it?"

"The local military has already tried to solve the problem," Mace answered. "However, they failed, and the situation continues to worsen."

His interest fully sparked, Obi-Wan arched his eyebrows and leaned in closer.

"Dark stirrings on Alonia there are," Yoda grievously spoke. "Much hate there is underneath the cities. Go there you must, young Jedi!"

"What dark stirrings?" Obi-Wan asked, wondering just how well his friend was faring trying to hold a planet together.

"There have been many terrorist attacks on civilians as well as the Raifen family. After hearing the reports from Cort and the military generals we believe that this may have something to do with the return of the Sith. The way in which many of the attacks occurred suggests that this could possibly be the case. The attacks seem to be planned differently from normal terrorism, almost as if there is a more powerful mind and motive behind it all. Recently, some threats from these groups have been directed not only at Alonia, but at the Republic as well."

"More Sith," Obi-Wan muttered, inhaling sharply. The red and black tattooed face of the Sith he had slain flashed through his mind. Another Sith is not something I would willingly choose to encounter, he thought.

"Obi-Wan," Mace spoke. "The Council has agreed that the prince was right to ask for you. You alone are the only Jedi who has most recently dealt with a Sith. If a Sith is behind these attacks, then you are better prepared than anyone else at this moment to deal with it."

"Go you must, Obi-Wan," the diminutive Jedi Master spoke, a look on his face that did not implore, but commanded.

Looking around him, Obi-Wan saw that all of the Council was now watching him, their opinions of his capabilities weighing on his response. Accepting meant that he might have to face a living nightmare. A Sith. The pure embodiment of evil, he thought with an inward shudder. Protests of every kind ran through his mind.

How could I possibly . . .

Not a Sith, not again . . .

Then a recollection of a conversation with Cort from one of his many visits rose to mind. They had just finished a difficult training exercise that Qui-Gon had designed to teach them the importance of teamwork. "Ben, let's make a promise," Cort had stated, using the nickname that only he called Obi-Wan by. "Someday, if one or the other of us is in a jam, and I mean really serious trouble, all we have to do is call for help and the other will come."

Still slightly panting from the exercise, he had grinned at this prince who was like a brother to him. He held out his hand and Cort had grasped it in a firm handshake, smiling in his mischievous way.

"I promise," he had said, smiling at the handshake.

I promise . . .

"Obi-Wan?" the green Jedi asked with his distinctive voice.

"Don't worry, Master Yoda. I'll go," Obi-Wan answered quietly.

"Good!" Mace Windu said. "Prince Raifen said he will supply you with whatever you need upon your arrival. You should leave as soon as possible. Go now and prepare your Padawan. A ship will be waiting in the northern docking bay for you."

"Thank you, Masters," Obi-Wan said. He stood up and bowed to the two who had invited him and then to the other Council members. As he turned to leave, Mace Windu spoke.

"Take this with you," Mace said, handing him a datacard. "It will give you a briefing on the current news on Alonia. Good luck."

Obi-Wan nodded in thanks, turned, and left the Council table.

"I hope he'll be able to handle this," Mace said to Yoda. "He will need to fully concentrate on the task ahead of him."

"Worry for Obi-Wan, I do not," Yoda said. He turned to watch as the Jedi in question left the dining hall. "Worry for Alonia, I do."