40 BBY
Coruscant
Jedi Temple
Five years.
For nearly five years, Master Yan had been Obi-Wan's Master, and the man was still just as much of a mystery as he had been since the beginning.
The Council's summons had come through less than ten minutes ago. Obi-Wan was looking forward to the possibility of a new mission, but the closer they got to the Council chambers, the more Obi-Wan could feel Master Yan's unease growing through the Force.
"You seem on edge," Obi-Wan said finally. "Is everything alright?"
"Not as such," his Master replied. "I have a slight suspicion I know where the Council wishes to send us, and what task they want us to undertake."
"Is it that bad?" Obi-Wan asked, already beginning to dread being sent into another situation like Corellia.
"I would call it at the very least, ill-advised."
Obi-Wan frowned. Neither he nor Master Yan trusted the Council as much as they once had, but it was strange to hear him openly say something against the Council. (It was most often hidden in subtext.) It must be bad if Master Yan didn't agree with the Council before they even knew what the mission was yet.
With Dooku as his Master, Obi-Wan had become quite adept at the fine arts of verbal and mental warfare. False politeness, and learning to talk without ever saying anything were also parts of his lessons, along with a rigorous regimen of lightsaber training. The last of which, Obi-Wan enjoyed immensely. He excelled at both Soresu and Makashi, to Master Yan's delight and his Buir's disappointment. Their verbal spars were getting as intricate and challenging as their lightsaber duels.
Obi-Wan's mind wandered to the upcoming assignment, wondering what kind of mission could make Master Yan so tense and uneasy.
They continued the rest of the way to the Council chambers in comfortable silence.
***
"We've received a transmission from Mandalore, asking for our assistance," Master Windu stated bluntly.
Master Yan stiffened. Obi-Wan stared blankly at the Council members.
"Unless I am not mistaken, the Jedi were banned from the Mandalore System over two years ago."
"Correct, you are," Yoda said. "But from Duke Kryze, this request is."
Immediately, Obi-Wan's eyes narrowed in suspicion, but he let Master Yan do the talking.
"The Jord'alor requested Jedi assistance less than three years after the disaster of Galidraan, and the Council does not think it a trap?" Master Yan asked, voicing Obi-Wan's doubts.
Ki-Adi Mundi leaned forward in his seat. "Duke Kryze asked for your presence specifically. He felt it would go over better with his people, given both of your relationships with the current Mand'alor. I am inclined to agree with him."
That definitely sounded like a trap to Obi-Wan. No one on Mandalore knew that Mara Miraal's son was a Jedi. The people would never have let her lead if they'd known.
"Was there a reason given for our presence?" Master Yan asked.
"The terrorist organization Death Watch has made threats against the Duke's family, and he wishes a Jedi's presence to ensure their safety," Master Windu replied.
YOU ARE READING
The Marvelous Association for No-Good, Drunk, and Obnoxious Sociopaths
Science Fiction"After all, he had a mother, as so many do." Except, Obi-Wan Kenobi's mother turned out to be the absolute worst kind possible for a Jedi. It was a good thing the probability of Obi-Wan becoming a Jedi was now about the lowest it could possibly be.
