Chapter 2: Chapter 1: Petting the Battapotu

There was always something quite disturbing about space, in the eyes of the young Obi-Wan Kenobi. Who knows what can be found in this infinity? Passageways crack loudly. The ventilation makes a terrible noise since the start of that journey. In addition, the air it releases is far too cold. This Consular ship is showing her age. However, this is not what worries the padawan. His true concern is that this is his first official mission. He turned 16 last month, thereby opening the way for the last phase of his training: field instruction.

« I'm sensing you're a bit agitated, Obi-Wan. It's not in your habits. »

The knight in charge of his education, Qui-Gon Jinn, is observing him from the corner of his eye. He is a stern man, but endearing. 

« This mission gives me a bad feeling, master. »

« Come on, Obi-Wan, there is nothing to worry about! It's just a trade dispute. We won't be entrusted with anything exciting as long as you're with me. »

He smiles at him. The Order only provides routine tasks once you're given the responsibility of a padawan. The kind that requires no skill, but still demands the presence of a Jedi.

The instruction is not difficult to understand: in his early years, the novice studies as part of a group under the authority of a Knight-Master, who instructs him in the basics of the Force. Quickly he is taught how to see it, how to feel it. Around the age of 13, a knight takes him under his protection. He will teach how to use it in real life, on a daily basis. Finally, shortly after his 16th birthday, the Order will ask for him to be evaluated on duty. A step that ends at his 18th birthday with a trial that involves replacing the abomination who served him until then as a lightsaber with a new one, built by the padawan's own hand.

Knights must regularly take on new disciples, since instruction is a necessary condition for their evolution to the rank of Knight-Master. Thus, at the beginning of your life, you learn from people who know more about the Force than you do. Afterwards, you discover how insignificant your knowledge is by teaching someone much less experienced. As the Knight-Master Mace Windu constantly says, « Learning is the first step on the path to an understanding of the Force. Teaching is the next one. » Here's how Jedis think.

« You are often tired, lately. » Ask Qui-Gon as he pours a glass of tetulli for himself.

« I'm having nightmares. »

« What kind? »

« Hard to describe, master. It's always the same one. I see myself standing on top of a hill covered with ashes, a sea of molten lava facing me as far as the eye can see. I have this terrible impression that everything has stopped, that the universe just collapsed because of me... »

« A common feeling for the padawan who starts his field instruction. You're afraid of failure, Obi-Wan. That's natural. » Qui-Gon answers has he takes a sip of his drink.

Fear. It's always fear. The padawan remembers when he was a mere novice. His parents brought him into the temple of Coruscant to join the Order. It's mandatory. An awakening to the Force, left unattended, is extremely dangerous. A child can accidentally kill his own family. One clumsy word and an adult commits suicide. A movement of the head at the wrong time and your landspeeder crashes. The Order is here to protect and educate the young ones blessed by the Force. Sometimes adults also show up at its door because they have discovered a new power within them. All are welcome.

Its appointed instructor was the Knight-Master Yoda. A small green creature with a perpetually smiling face. He didn't look like a real teacher. The kids had fun with him as if he was one of their friends. The best. The one you can always count on. His way of teaching was subtle. Everyone learned to use the Force just by playing, little by little, effortlessly. First, you discover that by closing his eyes, someone who is sensitive to its presence can « see » the strings that connect all things together. He can « feel » the events before they happen. However, through playing with Yoda, one quickly understands that this can be done voluntarily.

You then realize that it is possible to force things to move along these threads, and then that you can connect objects differently to each other. In less than a year, the novice can see in complete darkness and lift a metric ton of rubble with ease. No matter how difficult it is, Yoda is there. He once carried a child on his back to the infirmary because the poor fellow injured himself during an exercise. For young people who find themselves without a family, sometimes with no hope of ever seeing them again, the Knight-Master becomes like the center of their world. But that is not what Obi-Wan remembers the best.

One morning, Yoda asked his students to join him for a new game. The children came, of course, but the door suddenly closed behind them. They discover with horror that a terrifying creature is waiting for them. A monster that projects its tentacles in all directions. Some frightened kids start running. They go to hide. Screams of horror take over the room. Yet the Knight-Master has not moved. He is standing right next to the beast:

« Fear, of what do you have? Hurting me, this creature is? » Ask Yoda. A boy retorts to him:

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« This thing is hideous! »

« Really? A nice face the Force didn't give him, I easily admit. But dangerous he is? »

The children are reluctant. They don't know what to say.

« Only water, this animal eats. Its personality? Adorable is. Pet it, why don't you come to do? »

« He scares me! » Answers another child.

« Fear! Uh! A good thing, fear is. Protecting us, its duty. From danger, it warns. Yet, fear does not know everything. Mistakes it can make. To judge without knowing, fear often does. Come, children. Come pet our new friend. »

It takes time, but they eventually get closer to the creature. It's a Battapotu, a beloved beast on the planet Kabraks. Hideous? Certainly. Terrifying? Without a doubt. Adorable? Oh yes! « Petting the Battapotu » is a famous Jedi saying, which means « to master one's fear ». A few months later, the beast had become a pet for their group. Yoda had just taught the children to face their inner terror, to control it. This lesson was engraved in Obi-Wan's heart, but still... why this nightmare made him anxious? What does it mean?

« We will arrive soon. Do you want me to summarize our mission again? »

Obi-Wan is about to answer « no », but hesitates. His superior doesn't like people who leave unprepared. The slightest lack of understanding could merit punishment. Perhaps it would be better to accept?

« Yes, master. »

Qui-Gon Jinn seems satisfied. He nods in approval and begins his little briefing:

« We have to arbitrate a dispute between the Trade Federation and Naboo. The Nubians reject the transport monopoly that the federation obtained from the Senate. They want to continue working directly with their partners and have invoked Article 76 of the constitution, which states that authority over commercial affairs belongs to the star systems and not into the Republic hands. This is far from being the only unhappy planet, but the Nubians are in fact willing to accept this new reality if the federation carries out transportation using the same vessels and personnel as before. Basically, everything will happen as it is today, but the cargo will have a different crest. A trifle. »

« Indeed, it seems extremely easy to me... » Obi-Wan answers sarcastically. Qui-Gon bursts out laughing:

« I know you hate political discussions, my young padawan. I cannot think of anyone who enjoyed that at your age. Just settle down and sleep somewhere while I take care of the boring part. »

The ship starts shaking. A shiver that's typical of a hyperspace exit. The captain's voice comes down from the speaker:

« Lord knight, we are entering Naboo's orbit! »

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