by A. L. Singer
Everything was in a name, Qui-Gon thought.
Sith.
The sound itself was poisonous. A snake’s hiss, a gas leak, a lightsaber’s deadly arc.
A whisper. A secret.
The attacker on the planet Tatooine had fought with the skill and savagery that could only belong to a Sith. The Force was dark around him. There was only one problem.
The Sith didn’t exist. Qui-Gon Jinn knew about them the way he knew about the great Jedi battles — as ancient history. As the reminder of a barbaric time when the Galactic Republic was young and the forces of darkness rampant.
The Sith were a band of Jedi Knights, fallen to the ways of the dark side. Harnessing the dark side of the Force, they had threatened to take over the Republic, but they were driven away by the Jedi Knights. During the time that followed, a prosperous golden age, the Sith had faded into legend.
But the man with the red-and-black-tattooed face was no mythic character. He was flesh and bone, reflex and power.
Had the Sith lain dormant for eons, recruiting warriors and rebuilding strength? If so, what were they doing on Tatooine? And why had one of them attacked Qui-Gon?
Qui-Gon had been on Tatooine for ship repairs on his way to the planet Coruscant, where he was to deliver Queen Amidala of Naboo. There, before the Senate, the Queen was to plead for support against the Trade Federation’s attack on her people.
Qui-Gon’s conclusion — that the Trade Federation was aligned with a surviving band of Sith — seemed incredible.
Qui-Gon vowed to bring the matter before the Jedi High Council at their headquarters on Coruscant — along with another important request.
Now that his Padawan learner, Obi-Wan Kenobi, was ready to become a Jedi Knight, Qui-Gon wanted to champion a new apprentice. Anakin Skywalker was the most extraordinary Jedi candidate he had ever seen, perhaps even the Chosen One.
The boy and his mother, both slaves for a parts dealer named Watto, had befriended Qui-Gon on Tatooine. Qui-Gon, with no Tatooine money, could not get the hyperdrive he needed from Watto — until he made a bet. He wagered the hyperdrive on a victory by Anakin in the annual Boonta Eve Podrace. Against the toughest competition in the galaxy, the boy did it. Even before the win, Qui-Gon had tested Anakin’s blood. The amount of the boy’s midi-chlorians, the embodiment of the Force in all beings, was astronomical.
Obi-Wan disapproved of recruiting a boy at his age. Anakin was nine years old, far too old to begin such training. According to Jedi wisdom, after the age of three the forces of fear and darkness were already too deeply implanted in a child. But Qui-Gon had a feeling about this boy. And he had learned to follow his feelings.
As the ship passed through the teeming vertical masses of Coruscant, the boy’s face was pressed to the glass. Flying vehicles swarmed among the spires of skyscrapers that rose through clouds like steel stalagmites.
“Welcome to Coruscant, the capital of the Republic,” said Ric Olié, the starship pilot. “The entire planet is one big city.”
“Wow!” Anakin replied. “It’s so huge!”
Obi-Wan smiled. All the boy had ever known was the desolate, sandy plains of Tatooine. From here on, everything in Anakin’s life would be something of a shock.
Supreme Chancellor Valorum met the ship at the landing dock. He was a trim, stately man of great intellect. With him was Senator Palpatine of Naboo, renowned for his sharpness and political skill.
Qui-Gon descended the ramp with Obi-Wan and their amphibian Gungan companion, Jar Jar Binks. The three stepped aside and bowed as Queen Amidala emerged from the ship, followed by her handmaidens and Captain Panaka, head of Royal Security Forces on Naboo.
“It is a great gift to see you alive. Your Majesty,” Senator Palpatine said. “May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum.”
“Welcome, Your Highness,” Valorum said. “It is an honor to finally meet you in person. I must relay to you how distressed everyone is over the current situation. I’ve called for a special session of the Senate to hear your position.”
“I am grateful for your concern, Chancellor,” the Queen replied.
“There is a question of procedure,” Senator Palpatine said, leading the Queen, her handmaidens, and Captain Panaka to a waiting air taxi, “but I feel confident we can overcome it.”
Queen Amidala gestured for Anakin and Jar Jar to follow.
Qui-Gon watched as they walked out of earshot. Then he turned to the Supreme Chancellor and said softly, “I must speak with the Jedi Council immediately, Your Honor. The situation has become more complicated.”
“As you wish,” Valorum replied.
Immediately he led Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan into a nearby transport, which sped toward the Jedi Temple.
“I was hoping you would stand with the Queen before the Senate,” the Supreme Chancellor said.
“I’m afraid that your words will bear more weight than mine. Chancellor,” Qui-Gon replied.
Valorum shook his head ruefully. “The Senate is chaotic these days. Someone has started a baseless rumor about me that has grown to a corruption scandal. It will be proven false, of course, but meanwhile my power has eroded. The bureaucrats are in charge — and while that is true, I’m afraid very little will be done about the Naboo issue.”
Qui-Gon placed a reassuring hand on Valorum’s shoulder. “The Queen’s presence will change everything, you will see.”
Soon the Jedi Temple loomed before them. The transport docked, and Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan bade Valorum farewell.
They presented themselves at the gate, and an honor guard escorted them into the building.
As they approached the High Council chambers, Qui-Gon whispered to Obi-Wan, “Let me do the talking.”
It was a large, round room with a high, panoramic view of the cityscape. The twelve Council members welcomed the two visitors warmly but cautiously. Qui-Gon had been before them several times — in some cases to be reprimanded for defying their edicts.
Qui-Gon knew he would have to tread lightly. This news was bound to surprise — even shock — them.
As the High Council members sat in their accustomed circle, Qui-Gon carefully described the warrior he had encountered on Tatooine. “My only conclusion,” he said, “is that it was a Sith Lord.”
Mace Windu, a senior member, was taken aback. “A Sith Lord?”
“Impossible!” exclaimed Ki-Adi-Mundi, the celebrated hero from the planet Cerea, whose curious high-domed forehead contained a second heart. “The Sith have been extinct for a millennium!”
Master Yoda nodded slowly. He was considered to be the wisest of all Jedi Masters, and although he disapproved of Qui-Gon’s headstrong ways, Yoda had nevertheless taken special interest in his career. “The very Republic is threatened,” he said, “if involved the Sith are.”
“I do not believe they could have returned without us knowing,” Mace Windu said.
“Hard to see, the dark side is,” Yoda replied. “Discover who this assassin is, we must.”
“I sense he will reveal himself again,” Ki-Adi suggested.
Mace Windu still seemed unconvinced. “This attack was with purpose, that is clear — and I agree the Queen is his target....”
“With this Naboo queen you must stay, Qui-Gon,” Yoda urged. “Protect her.”
“We will use all our resources here to unravel this mystery and discover the identity of your attacker,” Mace Windu vowed. “May the Force be with you.”
“May the Force be with you,” Yoda added.
Qui-Gon heard Obi-Wan beginning to leave, but he stood his ground. One more matter remained.
“Master Q
ui-Gon, more to say have you?” Yoda asked.
“With your permission, my Master, I have encountered a vergence in the Force.”
Yoda’s ears picked up. “A vergence, you say?”
“Located around a person?” Mace Windu asked.
“A boy. His cells have the highest concentration of midi-chlorians I have seen in a life-form.” Qui-Gon paused, searching for words. “It is possible he was conceived by the midi-chlorians.”
Mace Windu sat forward. “You’re referring to the prophecy of the one who will bring balance to the Force. You believe it is this boy?”
“I don’t presume —” Qui-Gon began to protest.
“But you do!” Yoda interrupted. “Revealed your opinion is.”
“I request the boy be tested,” Qui-Gon said.
The Council members communicated with one another through uncomfortable silent glances. Qui-Gon’s heart sank. They didn’t believe him.
“Trained as a Jedi, you request for him?” Yoda asked.
“Finding him was the will of the Force, I have no doubt of that,” Qui-Gon pressed on. “There is too much happening here...”
“Bring him before us, then,” said Mace Windu. Yoda nodded. “Tested he will be.”
Once outside the chamber, Obi-Wan broke his silence. “The boy will not pass the Council’s tests, Master. He is far too old.”
“Anakin will become a Jedi,” Qui-Gon replied calmly. “I promise you.”
“Don’t defy the Council, Master. Not again.”
“I will do what I must.”
“Master, you could be sitting on the Council by now if you would just follow the code! They will not go along with you this time.”
Qui-Gon smiled patiently. Obi-Wan was smart and strong — and with time, his mind would gain the flexibility to question rules. “You still have much to learn, my young apprentice...”
Anakin seemed eager about the testing, but also apprehensive. Qui-Gon did all he could to encourage him. The Council would soon see, Qui-Gon was convinced, that Anakin was more than worthy.
Now, as the boy faced the initial round of testing, Qui-Gon paced outside the High Council door. Through it he heard snatches of the mind-reflex responses: as a Jedi Council Member held a holographic screen, Anakin, had to read what the Jedi was seeing.
“... a ship ... a cup ... a speeder...”
The boy’s voice was steady, matter-of-fact. Qui-Gon could only hope he was accurate.
Obi-Wan leaned against a wall, eyeing his Master bemusedly.
Soon the voices inside grew louder. Mind-reflex was over and now came the grilling — putting Anakin under pressure, determining his readiness for a life of sacrifice and devotion, prodding him for mental weakness.
“I am not afraid!” Anakin’s voice blurted out.
Qui-Gon cringed. The boy was angry, defensive. But Qui-Gon had been that way, too.
He could hear the lecture from Yoda: Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.
Finally the Council door was flung open. Master Yoda gestured for Qui-Gon and his Padawan to enter.
Anakin stood in the center of the circular floor. He managed a brave smile, but his face was drained.
“Correct you were, Qui-Gon,” Yoda said softly.
Mace Windu nodded. “His cells contain a very high concentration of midi-chlorians."
“The Force is strong with him,” Ki-Adi concurred.
“He’s to be trained, then,” Qui-Gon said hopefully.
Mace Windu shook his head. “No, he will not be trained.”
“No?”
“He is too old. There is already too much anger in him.”
For a moment, Qui-Gon was speechless.
The boy tried to contain his emotion. Obi-Wan, his own feelings now confirmed, tried to hold back a smile.
“He is the Chosen One,” Qui-Gon insisted. “You must see it.”
“Clouded this boy’s future is,” Yoda warned. “Masked by his youth.”
“I will train him, then,” Qui-Gon asserted. “I take Anakin as my Padawan learner.”
“An apprentice you have, Qui-Gon,” Yoda replied. “Impossible to take on a second.”
Mace Windu nodded. “The code forbids it.”
“Obi-Wan is ready —” Qui-Gon protested.
“I am ready to face the trials,” Obi-Wan cut in. “Ready so early, are you?” Yoda asked sharply. “What know you of ready?”
“He is headstrong, Master Yoda,” Qui-Gon said, “and he has much to learn about the Living Force — but he is capable. There is little more he will learn from me.”
“Our own counsel we will keep, on who is ready,” Yoda shot back. “More to learn, he has.”
“Now is not the time for this,” Mace Windu said impatiently. “The Senate is voting for a new Supreme Chancellor. Queen Amidala is returning home, which will put pressure on the Trade Federation and could widen the confrontation.”
“And draw out the Queen’s attacker,” Ki-Adi added. “Events are moving fast. Too fast.”
“Qui-Gon, go with the Queen to Naboo and discover the identity of this dark warrior,” Mace Windu instructed. “That is the clue we need to unravel this mystery of the Sith.”
“Young Skywalker’s fate will be decided later,” Yoda declared.
Later. So there was a chance.
“I brought Anakin here; he must stay in my charge,” Qui-Gon insisted. “He has nowhere else to go.”
“He is your ward, Qui-Gon,” Mace Windu concurred, “we will not dispute that.”
“Train him not,” Yoda commanded. “Take him with you, but train him not!”
“Protect the Queen,” Mace Windu added, “but do not intercede if it comes to war, until we have the Senate’s approval.”
With a firm nod, Yoda indicated the end of the meeting. “May the Force be with you.”
Anakin didn’t speak a word to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan during the ride back to the Senate. Upon arrival at the landing platform, he left the cab and walked listlessly among the vehicles. A stiff, cold wind tossed his hair. Even R2-D2’s chirping presence didn’t seem to cheer him up.
The landing platform was empty of people; clearly the Senate was still in session. Qui-Gon and his Padawan headed for the Naboo Royal Starship to wait for the Queen.
“I was right about him,” Obi-Wan said softly, eyeing the boy. “I mean no disrespect, Master, but it is the truth.”
“From your point of view,” Qui-Gon replied.
“The boy is dangerous,” Obi-Wan insisted. “They all sense it. Why can’t you?”
“His fate is uncertain, not dangerous,” Qui-Gon replied. “The Council will decide Anakin’s future. That should be enough for you. Now get on board!” Obi-Wan reluctantly climbed aboard the vessel, followed by R2-D2.
Qui-Gon watched until they were inside, then walked toward Anakin.
The boy glanced at him uncomfortably. “Master Qui-Gon, sir, I don't want to be a problem.”
This dangerous child was on the verge of tears. How could they label him this way — because he felt the pain of first separation from his mother? Because he showed a bit of frustration?
‘You won’t be a problem, Annie.” Qui-Gon knelt to face him eye-to-eye. “I’m not allowed to train you, so I want you to watch me and be mindful. Always remember, your focus determines your reality. Stay close to me and you will be safe.”
“Master, sir. I’ve been wondering — what are midi-chlorians?”
“Midi-chlorians are a microscopic life-form that resides within all living cells and communicates with the Force.”
The boy’s eyes grew large. “They live inside of me?”
Qui-Gon nodded. “In your cells. We are symbionts with the midi-chlorians.”
“Symbionts?”
“Life-forms living together for mutual advantage. Without the midi-chlorians life could not exist, and we would have no knowledge of the Force. They continually speak to you, telli
ng you the will of the Force.”
“They do?”
“When you learn to quiet your mind, you will hear them speak to you.”
Anakin cocked his head curiously. “I don’t understand.”
“With time and training, Annie,” Qui-Gon said with a reassuring smile, “you will.”
Two air taxis now emerged from the Senate building and whooshed onto the landing platform. Captain Panaka climbed out of the first vehicle, followed by a small squadron of officers and guards. From the other taxi stepped Queen Amidala, her handmaidens, and Jar Jar.
Qui-Gon approached the Queen and bowed. “Your Highness, it is our pleasure to continue to serve and protect you.”
“I welcome your help,” Queen Amidala replied. “Senator Palpatine fears the Trade Federation means to destroy me.”
“I promise you I will not let that happen.”
The Queen nodded gratefully and boarded the ship.
Jar Jar leaped across the floor and threw his arms around Qui-Gon. “WESA GOEN HOME!”
As the ship sped away from Coruscant, the Queen told Qui-Gon the sad news: The Senate hadn’t passed the resolution, and so she was heading home to a planet under siege.
“After my plea,” the Queen reported, “the Supreme Chancellor tried forcefully to decree a condemnation against the Trade Federation’s actions in Naboo.”
“Valorum is a good man,” Qui-Gon remarked.
“Yes, but not a strong one. He was immediately approached by various meddlesome bureaucrats who reminded him that the decree was against procedure. So Valorum withdrew the motion and asked that a committee be appointed to investigate.”
“A committee? By the time they would finish —”
“Exactly. It was unacceptable. The level of my frustration was matched only by that of Senator Palpatine, who suggested I move for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum. The motion was carried, and Valorum stepped down.”
Qui-Gon was amazed. This was an extraordinary move. The Queen carried an air of stillness and ceremony, but her actions cut like blaster fire. “Who will take his place?”
“One of the nominees,” the Queen replied, “is Senator Palpatine.”