Between the silver towers of Coruscant, a simple yellow speeder races towards the Jedi Temple. For Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, it's a simple journey that they've taken time and time again, and neither are paying attention, Obi-Wan looking down at a device in his hand and Qui-Gon trying to meditate.
For Kina Skywalker, it's a little more intriguing.
"...how do we investigate the Queen and her retinue? ...wait, no. Too young. Way too young. And I know Padmé does not have the personality for it."
"Still. If I were a Sith...I'd be close, but not too close, to whomever I wanted to manipulate in galactic governance. Probably wouldn't get too close myself, that's just asking for a roaming Jedi to apply a lightsaber. Unless they're under some sort of Force disguise, which, you'd be better placed to know than I do if it's even possible to do that, Master Jinn, but I don't think they're going to be risking daily contact with Jedi, because that's supposed to end poorly. So we investigate Palpatine and Antilles just in case, and we bring Teem in on it because I doubt they like the idea of dying as a loose end, and then we get everyone's social circles and close companions and favorite bars' proprietors and speeder drivers and we investigate them."
"Uh..." Qui-Gon feels like he should intervene at some point. "You think the Sith is behind one of the candidates... so your plan is to investigate them and everyone they know to see who's the Sith?"
"And possibly get in touch with whoever manages the Republic's spiiieeeessss oh that's not a good thought I do not like it. I really do not like that thought. ...Still, if there's a way of definitely clearing someone as not-a-disguised-Sith...I bet that they'd help."
"We'll certainly investigate that. Palpatine should be cooperative, Antilles I'm not sure, and Teem I assume will fight us on it. It might be better to wait for the election to end so that we can settle the Naboo situation, but that might give them the opportunity to seize power if one of them really is a part of this."
"In any case, I want to say that I'm very impressed with everything you've accomplished, Kina. I'm looking forward to having you as my Padawan."
"...We can't actually trust Palpatine, no matter how convenient his cooperation might be. He's within the profile of 'could, himself, be a disguised Sith Lord', and while he'd really have to have quite a fortified spleen to dare, it can't be ruled out. He's also the person who'd know best how to manipulate the Queen, of those who aren't her own staff or kin. Who we should probably check, too. ...And his 'your favorite grandfather' act spooks me. It's not real. But I'm getting off topic. We can't trust anybody who's not presently in the Order, as far as I'm concerned, and even then I'm not as sure of that as I'd like.
"...Honestly, I'd expect Senator Teem to jump at the opportunity to save their own skin from a Sith Lord cutting off loose ends. There's nothing so motivating as self-preservation, to a selfish soul.
Then something percolates up again.
"...I look forward to learning from you, Master Jinn. I'm glad you'd have me."
"See you in the morning, Master Jinn. Stay safe. I - would be worse off without you."
He gets another hug.
Qui-Gon heads out. After taking a break to meditate and explaining things to the Council, which takes a while, he searches the Temple for Obi-Wan, who doesn't seem to be present.
Where are you? he sends.
Of course. You know, it was just a few hours ago I was telling the Council how responsible you were, and now this?
Those are the only Trials I know of! Come back to the Temple, we have a lot to - He considers this, then deletes it. Obi-Wan deserves to celebrate. I'll come down to... Dex's. We have a LOT to talk about.
Qui-Gon steps outside, walking through the wide space surrounding the Temple, and calling for a cab. As they fly, he begins to wonder, questioning again if maybe Obi-Wan isn't ready, if he might just be motivated entirely by a desire to teach Kina. But Obi-Wan has plenty of experience. He's spent years training, he's more than ready to move on. His thoughts do return to Kina. She's more advanced than most Knights, at least in some ways. But she still isn't used to this world. And he can guide her.
He can give her a chance to make a difference without giving up who she is.
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