Chapter 23: Chapter 22 – Aftermath

A violent wind blows continuously. No other sound can be heard. This night, Qui-Gon has not slept a wink. The previous day's events have seriously shaken Obi-Wan. Padmé? The poor child has been through a lot lately. A terror this big won't be forgotten without effort. Jar Jar is gone. The master saw him wandering off into the desert. What happened recently offered this unfortunate creature the experience of an encounter with his gods, who knows what he will learn from it?

As for Anakin... the boy remained silent like a grave. All things considered, he is likely to be the one who comes out on top. Qui-Gon wonders what Wakko Wakko could have done to this kid, that he could go through such an ordeal with hardly any discomfort. Not to mention the fact that he displays a blatant affinity for the Force. The little one, however, doesn't seem to be aware of this. Not yet, anyway.

Normally, their mission would come first, but they also have an obligation to get him to Coruscant. The Jedi Order is exceptionally rigid on this issue: « Regardless of the circumstances surrounding him, his age, or his origin, an undiscovered Force user must be escorted back to a temple for proper education. Any operation in progress, regardless of importance, may be suspended if necessary. » The master is aware of what sometimes happens when a chosen one of the cosmic stream evolves on his own. It would be deadly dangerous to leave him unsupervised. He will have to find a way to free the boy.

The knight pushes back the blanket and sits on the edge of his bed. He pulls out a tubular medical instrument from his belt and presses it against his neck. The tool beeps after a second, revealing its result in the form of a number. Only a clinical background can tell what it means. Qui-Gon sighs: his psychic discomfort has a quantifiable physical manifestation. Of course, he could simply close his eyes to see that his « body of light » has exploded into millions of shards. This metaphysical description, in itself, will not help the med droids to make a diagnosis. A huge drop in midichlorians is more concrete.

A midichlorian is a bacteria, which occasionally infests the cells of complex organisms. Its presence is benign for the host, since it does not consume anything without providing something in return, and its absence has no impact on health. The infection depends on the individual, as one person may live with 16% of his cells contaminated, while another can have 90%. It is neither hereditary nor transmissible to children during gestation. Nobody is born with midichlorians, but we all end up having them in our blood after birth. A curiosity, which remains unexplainable since the dawn of science.

There is a persistent and popular belief that these strange companions are the source of the Force or its users. But the Jedi Order stopped giving credence to this far-fetched theory centuries ago. Many people have a monumental amount of them without showing the slightest connection to the stream. Famous examples include the Mon Calamari poet « Budani », Prince Ecxor of Alaxar, the architect Pallo Bracto, and even Nubian Senator Sheev Palpatine, among many others. In contrast, several Jedis are almost clean, such as Violi Zetr, Kit Fisto or Dooku.

Nevertheless, a sudden increase in rate proves a radical change. The amount of midichlorians usually changes quite slowly. A Force user, though, will see a huge increase in numbers the first time he or she calls the cosmic stream into work - even unconsciously. Conversely, a decrease signals the presence of a deadly disease, since the bacteria always evacuate dying organisms. The explanation accepted by the Jedis, and consequently by all doctors, is that they are stimulated by variations in the Force.

Qui-Gon watches his left arm carefully. It might as well have never existed than it would be the same. The knight uses his power to give it a semblance of animation. A staged display that will make observers believe his limb is working. The Order's rules object to the use of the cosmic stream for vanity purposes. This time, their situation justifies it: if Obi-Wan or Padmé become aware of his condition, they will panic. A Jedi must inspire calm and confidence to his partners in times of trouble.

The man stands up, grabs his robe and puts it on. He feels no pain, but the damage to his essence is impossible to ignore. There are no words, in Basic, to explain this feeling: everything is discolored, dull and, despite this, blinding. Every movement seems to be late or early. Closing his eyelids, Qui-Gon can contemplate the glittering pieces of his own soul. One fragment fades away every second. Using the Force might accelerate this process. The trick with his arm will certainly cost him minutes of life expectancy.

The knight leaves his room with a loud cough, then walks to Padmé's and knocks:

« Who is it? » Asks the little girl with a sullen voice.

« Qui-Gon! May I come in? »

« Yes. »

The door slides open gently. The man notices that the little girl has been crying.

« I'm not looking good. » She says in a tired whisper, smiling sadly.

« For a Jedi, appearance matters very little! » He returns her smile, making sure to wave both arms.

« I make a mediocre queen. Riddled with fear. Fragile. Inexperienced. What did the Nubians expected? »

« Look at me, child! »

The little girl raises her gaze, but can't hold Qui-Gon's for more than a brief moment. Her visitor adds gently:

« Do you think the people of Naboo could have imagined such a situation happening? Recent events have brought horror to millions of innocent people. In this context, I find your actions admirable. There is nothing you should be ashamed of. Your courage far exceeds what could reasonably be expected of a child. »

« I wish they hadn't elected me! » Padmé releases a long sob.

« Whatever reason your compatriots had for making such a choice. They still don't know how good it was. The Force has approved their decision, for it is right. Focus your mind on the future and don't be afraid to have doubts from time to time. »

« I will try. »

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« I'm taking Obi-Wan to the Jedi temple for an important lesson. Would you like to come? »

« Why not. »

« Get ready, then. »

The knight closes and walks away in the direction of Obi-Wan's room. As he approaches, the man can hear a muffled grunt. He opens without knocking: his padawan is writhing in pain on the bed! Qui-Gon moves in and places his hand on the teenager's forehead. A searing pain immobilizes him to his very bones! The young man raises his wild eyes and screams:

« It's... it doesn't... stop! They... everywhere! » He groans.

« Obi-Wan, breathe! »

The young man shakes. His supervisor uses the Force to bring him some calm. He manages to soothe the teenager by absorbing a fraction of his torment. The poor young man spits out his lungs:

« That was... » He sighs, without being able to finish his sentence.

« Your connection with the cosmic stream has opened up completely. You're not ready to handle it yet. »

« Is it going to be... always... like this? »

Qui-Gon offers the unfortunate boy an apologetic nod, then replies bluntly:

« Yes, for the rest of your life. You will feel the exaltation of every birth and the terror of every death. The hope of the hunter who finally catches his prey and the desolation of the one who will be devoured. I will help you carry this burden while your mind gets used to it. »

« I heard... someone... in the darkness. He said he had... unleashed my potential... that the Jedi Order... was keeping us... weakened. Is that true? »

« It is the truth, indeed, from a certain point of view. »

« From a certain... point of view! You think what's happening to me is... a matter of... point of view? »

« You are going to find, Obi-Wan, that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view. »

The master can see that his disciple is barely able to hear him. He is only beginning to regain his composure.

« Is the Force... really that brutal? Why... were we... never warned? » He asks.

« Can you walk? »

The teenager gets to his feet, helping himself with the furniture.

« I suppose... yes. »

« Excellent! We are going to the temple. It is time to teach you about the true nature of the Dark Side. »

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