Chapter One
As the three armory droids lurched forward from the shadows of the arena, the twenty-five-year-old Jedi apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi swiftly drew his lightsaber and pressed the activation switch. Suddenly, the sound of the lightsaber’s low, steady hum filled the air, and the dark arena was illuminated by the weapon’s cold; blue light; Despite his lightsaber’s glowing blade Obi-Wan could not see anything. He was wearing a thick; padded blindfold. Snapping into a combat stance, the armory droids raised their blaster pistols the droids aimed at the blindfolded Obi-Wan and Red sending red energy bolts flying toward their target. Using the Force to sense the trajectory of the. On coming bolts, Obi-Wan swiftly angled his lightsaber and swung at the deadly barrage. Loud, electrically emerged crackling filled the air as Obi-Wan’s darting lightsaber struck the energy bolts; batting them back at the three droids. Two droids were destroyed as the bolts hit their torsos in a shower of sparks, knocking them to the black metal floor. ‘The third droid was faster, jerking aside with surprising speed to avoid a direct hit. One energy bolt sped past it and smashed into the dense plastoid wall; but the final bolt. shaved through the greased elbow joint of the droid’s firing arm Still gripping the blaster pistol the severed arm clattered to the floor.
The droid reacted automatically. It used its remaining arm to reach for its back-mounted holster and pull free a fully loaded blaster rifle. As the armory droid aimed the rifle, the blindfolded. Obi-Wan Kenobi leaped across the arena; moving so fast that he became a blur. The droid recalibrated its targeting sensors, pulled the trigger, and unleashed an explosive stream of energy. bolts at Obi-Wan’s indistinct form, But Obi-Wan was too fast the spraying bolts hammered into the surrounding walls. Instantly, Obi-Wan and his blazing lightsaber rematerialized close behind the armory droid. Detecting its opponent, the droid spun around to attack, but it wasn’t fast enough. In a blinding flash; Obi-Wan’s lightsaber slashed up through the droid, cleaving the automaton in. half. It toppled over, its legs useless, its scorched, severed parts scattered across the black floor. Obi-Wan Kenobi deactivated his lightsaber. The entire fight with the three droids had passed in just under eleven seconds.
“Most impressive, Obi-Wan,” a deep voice commented from the entrance of the arena. Immediately recognizing the voice, Obi-Wan turned his blindfolded face to the speaker.
“Greetings, Master,” the young Jedi answered as he removed his blindfold. “Forgive me. I didn’t hear you come in.”
Qui-Gon Jinn, a tall Jedi Master, smiled at his apprentice from the arched doorway Moving his hand over a wall panel, Qui-Gon turned on the lights within the arena; causing Obi-Wan to blink his eyes. “You were focusing too much attention on the droids, Padawan,” Qui-Gon observed. “To prepare for the unexpected, you must stretch out with the Force. Perhaps you’re spending too much time here in the Jedi. Temple; It would do you well to get outside of this training center once.in a while.”
“Yes, Master,” Obi-Wan replied; “I’ll follow your advice. But if I may ask, what brings you back to the Temple? I thought you were going to visit the lower levels of Coruscant.”. “There was a change in plans,” Qui-Gon answered.
“Sorry to hear that, I know how much you enjoy your friends down there.” In truth Obi-Wan did not understand why Qui-Gon liked the company of pathetic life forms, such as those who populated Coruscant’s lowest industrial regions. Over many. centuries, the capital city had expanded until it covered the entire planet.. The wealthiest citizens lived in luxurious skyscrapers while the very poor struggled for survival in the subterranean clusters far below Coruscant’s surface. Changing the subject, Obi-Wan asked, “So, how much did you see of my practice session against the droids?”
“Surveying the three fallen armory droids, Qui - Gon responded, “Enough to see your skill with a lightsaber is ever improving.
Grateful for Qui-Gon’s praise, Obi-Wan bowed. “Thank you, Master.” As an eight-armed sanitation droid rolled into the arena to clean up the wreckage from the floor, Qui-Gon clapped Obi-Wan on the back.
“Come along now, Padawan,” he said, guiding his apprentice toward the exit. “We’ll have to hurry if we’re to attend the meeting.” “Meeting?” Obi-Wan asked, walking faster to keep up with the long strides of his Master. “What meeting 7”
“We’ve been summoned by the Jedi Council,” Qui-Gon replied as they left the training arena and entered a corridor. “That’s why I was called away from the lower levels.” The corridor was lined by a row of high windows, offering a spectacular view of Galactic. City.