wanted to ask.
Obi-Wan followed Qui-Gon into the governor's receiving room. He was surprised and encouraged that qui- Gon has invited him to the meeting. Perhaps it meant the Jedi was reconsidering whether to take him on as an apprentice after all.
Obi-Wan was expecting a lavish chamber, but there was only a circle of cushions on a bare stone floor. Bandomeer could not afford to impress guest.
SonTag, the governor of Bandomeer, entered the room. Her silver hair was cropped in tufts in the Meerian style. Her dark gaze calmly rested on the Jedi. Like all Meerians, she was small. Obi-Wan towered over her. The Meerians' small stature made them great miners.
She held out both hands, palms up, in the Meerian way. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan repeated her gesture.
'Greetings and welcome,' she said softly. She indicated the younger woman to her left. The younger woman's cropped hair was also pale silver, and her silver eyes blazed at them across the room. Although she was standing quietly, her energy seemed to send a vibration through the air. 'This is VeerTa. She is the leader of the Home Planet Mine.'
The Jedi greeted VeerTa in the same fashion. They had been briefed about her. She was fierce patriot who had been instrumental in forming the Home Planet Party. The party goal was to replant the once fertile fields of Bandomeer, as well as control its resources. The first step was to end dependence on off-planet corporations for financial support. To that end, VeerTa had gone into partnership with the Arconans in the cooperative mine.
SonTag indicated the cushions that the Jedi should sit on and took her own seat. Slowly, SonTag and VeerTa's cushions rose in the air so that they were at eye level with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.
'I've asked VeerTa to join us today because we are both confused by your presence,' SonTag began. 'Although we welcome you, we must admit we are surprised. We understand that the Agri-Corps has requested help. But we did not.'
Qui-Gon looked startled. 'But the Temple received an official request from the government of Bandomeer for a Guardian of Peace. I have the documentation.'
'I'm sure you do,' SonTag said firmly. 'But I did not send it.'
'This is very strange,' Qui-Gon murmured.
'Nevertheless, we are glad you are here,' VeerTa said crisply. 'we have our doubts that Offworld Corporation will allow us to operate freely. Let us just say that they corporation has a history of making competition disappear.'
'I've seen how they operate firsthand,' Qui-Gon responded. 'I have to agree.'
Qui-Gon's voice was neutral, but Obi-Wan knew how deeply the Jedi disapproved of Offworld practices. On the journey to Bandomeer, Obi-Wan had been shocked at how openly Offworld used intimidation, treats and outright violence to keep control of their employees. Jemba the Hutt had deprived a groups of Arconans of the precious substance that kept them alive. He offered a brutal choice: to work for Offworld, or die. He had even laughed in their faces as they grew too weak to move.
'Then you'll understand why we'd like to have a Jedi representative at our first meeting with Offworld,' VeerTa said. 'Your presence will ensure that everyone plays fair.'
Qui-Gon bowed. 'I'll be happy to contribute what I can.'
Excitement rose in Obi-Wan. Obviously, the meeting ahead would be important. The future of a planet was at stake. Plus, since the Home Planet group was in league with the Arconans, he would probably get to see Si Treemba and Clat'Ha again. He'd made friends with both of them on the journey to Bandomeer. Surely, Qui-Gon would want him present at the meeting.
'My companion will be traveling to the Eastern Enrichment Zone,' Qui-Gon said, indicating Obi-Wan. 'Can you arrange transport for him?'
Obi-Wan barely listened to SonTag's agreement. Stirrings of anger began to flutter underneath his frustration. While Qui-Gon would be involved in saving a planet, he'd be watching plants grow! He would be a farmer, after all.
He'd held on to a hope that after their adventures reaching Bandomeer, Qui-Gon would cancel Obi-Wan's original mission. Obviously, Qui-Gon still didn't believe he could become a Knight. He would send him off to a farm before taking him as a Padawan!
Obi-Wan struggled with his anger. Master Yoda had told him that often anger wasn't about another person, but about himself. 'Close your mouth and open your ears, you must,' Yoda had said. 'Then hear what your true heart is seeking, you will.'
Well, right now his true heart was seeking to scream out his frustration.
Qui-Gon extended his hands, palms up, then flipped them over, palms down. It was the farewell gesture of the Meerians. SonTag and VeerTa repeated the gesture. Nobody seemed to care what Obi-Wan did, so purposefully, he did not acknowledge their parting.
Obi-Wan's lack of courtesy was a severe infraction for a Jedi pupil. But Qui-Gon didn't say a word as they walked through the residence halls and out the main door.
The air chilled Obi-Wan's flushed cheeks as he and Qui-Gon paused on the steps. Obi-Wan waited for the older Jedi to reprimand him. Then he could tell Qui-Gon how he wanted to remain in Bandor. He could line up his reason; he could argue that Qui-Gon needed his support.
'Those seeming not to notice you usually do,' Qui-Gon said, looking out into the distance. 'They choose no to show it. Or they have greater concerns on their minds. It is no reason for discourtesy.'
'But I — '
'I see that your discourtesy sprang from anger,' Qui-Gon continued. His voice was soft and low, as it usually was. 'I will ignore it.'
Angry words sprang to Obi-Wan's mind. If you're choosing to ignore it, why are you mentioning it?
