Qui-Gon sat in the sleeping chamber with his apprentice sleeping on the other sleepcouch in the transport bound for Trellis 3. They were going there for a mission that he hadn't briefed Obi-Wan about yet. His rotation for guarding the ancient ring that was entrusted into the Jedi Order's care had come again.
The origin of the ring was shrouded in mystery. The true reason for guarding it had disappeared into the realm of myths. Some thought it was a doorway or portal to other worlds, other realms. Others thought it was a monument to an ancient war since there was a copy at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. All anyone that knew of the ring was certain of was that a select handful of Jedi Knights and Masters were entrusted with the responsibility of standing watch over it and could never mention it to anyone else except for the Jedi Council.
Now he had to instruct Obi-Wan in those secrets. Obi-Wan was the youngest person ever chosen for a guardian of the ring and the only Padawan. Yet Master Yoda was insistent that on this trip that the young man be made aware of the enigmas of this planet. Qui-Gon let out a deep breath. More than likely, he mused, his old master had some sort of vision which led to his decision. He had expected to be removed from the rotation completely once he accepted Obi-Wan as his Padawan on Bandomeer, six years ago.
Actually looking back, everything the Council did three years ago made more sense now. Not allowing him to miss his rotation then and having him bring Obi-Wan along had been a challenge. Thankfully Obi-Wan just accepted that this site was selected for one-on-one training and left it at that. Trellis 3 was world teeming with life and the Force. It had lush emerald forests to rival Endor, and rippling plains. It would be a welcome change from the swamps and wetlands they had been visiting recently, even if they would have to maintain the small farm that ensured a transport was only necessary for personnel changes.
Qui-Gon spared a concerned glance to his sleeping Padawan, who disliked farming since it was a reminder of how close he had come to being a farmer instead of a knight. This time however he would show the young man that a Jedi needed to know many things. Trellis 3 was uninhabited except for local wildlife. The Jedi who guarded the ring had always farmed and brought very little foodstuffs from the outside. Most just brought reading materials and also practiced. Qui-Gon tried to settle into sleep, but was kept awake by the nagging feeling that this mission wouldn't be the quasi-vacation it usually was.
Qui-Gon heard Obi-Wan shift on his sleepcouch, "Master, is everything alright?"
"Yes Obi-Wan. I did not mean for you to be disturbed by my sleeplessness. We will be on Trellis 3 tomorrow and we both need to rest." He chided softly wishing his mind would take the advice he gave to his Apprentice.
"It wasn't just you that awakened me, Master." Obi-Wan took a calming breath, "I was having the most unsettling dream. The Temple was under attack. Some force managed to find a way inside and strike from within and by surprise." Obi-Wan tone betrayed his confusion about the possibility of an attack from within the Temple.
"Did your dream reveal how the invaders were able to strike with the Jedi unaware?"
"Yes, however it's unlikely it actually would happen, Master. The invaders came through the ring that is in the Grand Hall. First there was an explosion from the center of the ring that killed many before retreating. Then the center of the ring settled to become like a silver rippling pond. That was when the troops came through the ring." Obi-Wan repeated the vision as best he could.
"Obi-Wan, perhaps if I saw your dream it would help?" Qui-Gon began to suspect that this dream was the reason for his sleeplessness. His Padawan's unease was coming through the mind bond. That indeed meant that this was more a vision than a normal dream.
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The vision centered on the Grand Hall and the ring that was the focal point of the room. The edges of the ring lit up in seven points and then the center stone shattered and like Obi-Wan tried to describe the center of the circle exploded outwards with a kwhooshing sound killing all in its path. Quickly retreating back with the same kwhooshing sound seconds later.
The center then settled to reveal a shimmering curtain of silver metal. From which troops marched through. These troops were unlike any Qui-Gon had ever seen. The helmets of the armor were styled like the head of a desert scorpion and the rest of the body was covered in a type of meshed mail. Each soldier carried a staff that fired an energy bolt killing all they aimed at. The Jedi at the temple put up a valiant fight but they had still lost. After the carnage was finished, another figure came through the circle. It was a beautiful woman wearing a gauzy dress and a golden scorpion headdress. That was where the vision ended.
As Obi-Wan let his Master see the troubling visions of his dream he remembered that there was a ring similar to the one in the Great Hall on Trellis 3. The dwelling they would be occupying was about 500 meters away from that ring. Did this vision hold any portents for their trip? He was concerned that he couldn’t see himself or his Master in the battle. Was that because they had died in a similar attack on Trellis 3?
"Obi-Wan calm yourself. Keep your focus here and now where it belongs. Worrying like that will lead to fear."
"And fear leads to the Dark side." Obi-Wan interrupted, "I know Master, but this vision seemed so real. I could hear and feel the kwhooshing the ring made. I just couldn't see us in that vision. If we weren't on Coruscant where were we?" Obi-Wan grew more determined that his vision would come to pass with an alarming fierceness.
"Only the Force knows, Padawan. This could be a vision of a distant future. We will inform the Council. They will know what safeguards to take to preserve the Order." Qui-Gon softly told the younger man. As a result of the unknown nature of the ring the Council did indeed have plans for each branch of the ring's mythos. Something he would have to inform Obi-Wan of once the reached Trellis 3. "I will send the message to the council now before we reach the range where communications will become problematic. You should try and get some more sleep."
They had just reached orbit around Trellis 3 when Obi-Wan woke up and went to the mess hall where Qui-Gon was waiting for him.
"What did the Council have to say Master?" Obi-Wan asked as soon as he sat down with is breakfast.
"It can wait until we are on Trellis 3, Padawan." The older man said brusquely before continuing his breakfast.
Qui-Gon saw a hurt look pass quickly over Obi-Wan's roguish features. How he wanted to distract the younger man from this worry. An image of them naked, writhing, and pleasuring each other flashed through his mind.
'Not now.' He quickly pushed that image back where it belonged and then he reminded himself of his promise not to approach Obi-Wan. For some out dated reason perhaps. He wanted Obi-Wan to make the first move. To know that his Padawan genuinely wanted this and wasn't accepting out of perceived duty or some similar reason.
The rest of the morning passed getting ready for the afternoon landing on the planet's surface. Supplies were moved from the storage rooms to the small shuttle craft which would land with a minimum of disturbance to the planet surface. Once everything was packed, the transport's captain piloted the shuttled to the meadow were the ring and the cabin were.
The meadow was large, looking to the east you could see forest beginning about 2 miles away reaching around to the north and south as well. The ocean was about a mile to the west, however the view was broken by the two large hills to the north west and south west creating a small pass about midway on the west side. Another small pass was at the far southwest end of the meadow.
The ring and house were behind the southwestern hill as well as the small farm. "Master, this is the one thing I dislike about this planet." Obi-Wan said once the shuttle landed and he eyed the farm with a fair amount of distaste.
"You only dislike the farm because it reminds you about the past. However a Jedi may have need of those skills. You never know what you may be called upon to turn your hand to. You accepted the engineering classes to build your light saber did you not?"
"Yes, Master. However that's different. If I didn't build a light saber then I wouldn't have made it past the first tests to being a Jedi." The Padawan countered.
"Ah, but if you needed to assist with repairs to a ship you could do it correct? How different is that from being able to recognize that Agri-Corps assistance may be needed on a planet?"
Obi-Wan sighed, "Yes Master, I believe I understand what you are trying to tell me."
"Now let's see what there is for the noon meal and I believe I owe you an explanation about our reason for being here, and my behavior earlier." Qui-Gon led the way to the cabin they would be occupying for the next 6 months. Since it was normally used by one Jedi at a time it was basically one large room with only the sanitary facilities in a separate room. There were windows on all sides and lots of throw cushions on the floor for lounging around or meditating. There also were a couple of sleep couches in the cabin.
After bringing in their bags of supplies and belongings Qui-Gon examined the larder. For the next six months they would have to cook from scratch. While he didn't mind and actually enjoyed the process of transforming raw foodstuffs into some edible delight the same couldn't be said for Obi-Wan. The last time they were here the young Padawan almost burned down the kitchen area. Hopefully he'd be able to instruct the youngster in the culinary arts this time around. The idea of teaching that skill automatically led to thoughts of other skills he could teach his apprentice. 'I'm not going to survive these six months if I don't get this under control.' Qui-Gon quickly made some sandwiches and set them on the table and waited for Obi-Wan to join him.
"Master, what did the council say." Obi-Wan asked as he sat down and grabbed a sandwich.
"That I should tell you about reason for the Jedi presence on this planet. For almost a thousand generations there has always been a Jedi here standing watch over the ring. Until your vision no one living knew what the ring was. That secret was lost, most likely during the Sith Wars. Only the Jedi Council and six Jedi, now seven, know that we stand watch here. We had myths about what this ring might have used for. One of them was a portal between worlds or realms."
"Like in my vision." Obi-Wan guessed.
"Correct, since we never knew the true purpose of the ring we had no idea of any danger it might bring to the Jedi. So the Council have always had plans in place to preserve the Order just in case something like what you saw came to pass. My interpretation of your vision, and Master Yoda agrees, is that the invasion will take place in the next six months."
"Then why did we land here Master? We should be back on Coruscant helping to prepare defenses. If the Jedi fall so will the Republic." Obi-Wan was passionate and insistent in his reply. His hazel eyes sparkled in the noon light filtering through the many windows of the cabin. For a moment Qui-Gon saw a glimpse of the Jedi his Padawan would become.
"We landed here Padawan, because that is our mission. To stay here for six months and then go to where ever the Council sends us. If your vision comes to pass then our mission is laid out. We stay here as long as it is safe and then begin to rebuild the Order. Providing a safe haven to any Jedi that may need it. Two Jedi won't make a difference in your vision but it will make a difference for the future of the Jedi."
"And this ring? What do we do with it, Master. Leave it alone and let that scorpion army come through and destroy us? Some preservation of the Order that will be."
"Obi-Wan you can not save the galaxy by yourself. Yours is the only vision pertaining to the ring ever, and that was the ring on Coruscant not here. Your vision may not come to pass. The future is always changing. No matter how clear the vision. Your vision should only be used as a guide not an oracle."
"Yes, Master."
"After you finish your sandwich why don't you go and weed the garden."
Obi-Wan nodded reluctantly, "could we not destroy these rings? No rings, no threat to the Republic, or even move them somewhere else."
"It was determined that the ring is made of a metal that will increase the destructiveness of any explosive we use. Also we don't know the implications of destroying or moving one of these rings. It could cause a reaction that would be worse than that army attacking in your vision."