Chapter Twenty-Six: A Helping Hand

26. Lending a Hand

"Master! Their defense forces are being slaughtered! Master!" Obi-Wan Kenobi watched the brutal battle unfolding, unable to remain seated any longer.

He was particularly moved by the sight of those pilots flying clearly outdated fighters, yet charging forward fearlessly, wave after wave, in what amounted to suicide missions.

"Sit down, Obi-Wan. Remember, do not let your emotions dictate your actions." Qui-Gon Jinn sat as still as a statue, his eyes closed in meditation.

"But, Master..."

"Sit down. At this stage of the battle, it is no longer for us to initiate the request. You only need to sense the emotions of those people in uniform to understand."

Obi-Wan looked toward Qi Jian and his team. Through the Force, he felt as if he were touching a searing flame. He finally understood his master's intent; for these people, this was a transformation.

Some things must be learned by experience, and some humiliations must be endured firsthand.

Only then... could they grow stronger.

However, Obi-Wan suddenly felt an inexplicable palpitation. He had a vague, ominous premonition that perhaps the consequences of this humiliating day would prove catastrophic for the galaxy.

At that moment, he saw the middle-aged female administrator walking toward them. He stood up and bowed slightly, his lips moving, though no words came out.

"Master Qui-Gon, our administrators have told me that you are Jedi, guardians of the Galactic Republic. We are merely a group of homeless people trying to build a new home here. We don't have much in the way of defensive strength... Here, I solemnly make a request... Please... help us." Daphne Clement took a deep breath, bowing her head as she spoke to the two of them.

Qui-Gon Jinn drew a long breath, stood up, and spoke slowly: "It is our duty to do so. But please understand that this galaxy is filled with danger, and a Jedi will not always be present. I hope you understand that."

"This is our new home. Even if it costs every one of our lives, we will fight to the end." Daphne Clement remained bowed, her expression hidden.

Yet, through the Force, Qui-Gon felt the fire in her heart. He sighed deeply and said, "Anger is a double-edged sword; it burns others, but it burns yourself as well. Tread carefully. I only hope that what those pirates have awakened today is not a terrible beast."

"I trust that when you visit next time, we will be able to show you a better side of ourselves. Our leader, Tang Xiao, is also very much looking forward to meeting you." Clement bowed deeply and spoke softly.

***

Qui-Gon nodded. "Your black tea is excellent; I look forward to tasting it again. Very well, we shall depart now. May the Force be with you." With that, he pulled his hood over his head and walked with Obi-Wan Kenobi toward the elevator leading to the hangar.

The hangar deck was mostly empty, save for a group of pilots standing by. Qui-Gon tried to speak to them, but found the language barrier insurmountable; only a few people in the Fourth Civilization were currently learning Galactic Basic.

The two boarded their ship, where their pilot was already waiting. Qui-Gon gestured for the pilot to vacate the seat and signaled to Obi-Wan. "You take the controls."

"Certainly, Master." Obi-Wan did not decline, though once seated, he felt a flicker of worry. "Master, this is only a civilian vessel with a single self-defense turret. I have some reservations."

Qui-Gon chuckled. "Afraid now? What happened to that spirit from before?"

Obi-Wan replied sternly, "As a Jedi, it is our duty to help the innocent."

Qui-Gon shook his head with a smile. "You see only their fragile exterior, not their powerful inner spirit. You believe them innocent now because they are weak. But... that may not always be the case in the future. Remember, trust in the Force, and use it. Only then will you be able to see further and clearer."

"I understand, Master. So, what are we—"

"I am saying these people are in need of our help. Let’s go. Do not waste the time those warriors bought with their lives." Qui-Gon sat in the co-pilot's seat and expertly flicked the ship's instrument switches.

The Z-10 Seeker-class light ship lifted off from the spacious hangar deck and flew directly toward the ongoing conflict near the Endor gas mining station.

On the battlefield, over thirty Blade-class fighters had already been destroyed, their wreckage and the bodies of their pilots drifting silently in the void.

Yet, the fierce battle showed no signs of stopping. To stop the three bounty hunter ships, the Fourth Civilization had even deployed their Arrow-class scouts, launching one fearless attack after another.

Obi-Wan Kenobi piloted the Z-10 into the fray and opened a communication channel to Qi Jian. "Have your fighters coordinate with us."

"Understood." Qi Jian's voice came through, and immediately the formation of the Blade-class fighters shifted, centering their movements around the Z-10.

"Let's go!" Obi-Wan pushed the throttle, the ship surging forward.

However, the three bounty hunter ships were no pushovers. They unleashed a barrage of fire that made the Z-10’s shields flicker violently.

***

"It's no good! Their firepower is too heavy!" Cold sweat began to bead on Obi-Wan's forehead.

"Remember what I said. Use the Force," Qui-Gon prompted. "Their weaknesses are clear."

Obi-Wan took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "I understand, Master. Although they modified their ships with extra turrets, their electronics and fire-control systems remain outdated. They cannot fully utilize that heavy firepower."

"And then?" Qui-Gon guided his apprentice.

"Then watch this!" Obi-Wan’s gaze sharpened. He accelerated, carving a high-speed arc through space while constantly banking the wings to confuse the enemy’s fire-control radar. He slammed the button, and the pulse laser cannon fired a brilliant beam!

Against a starfighter piloted by a Jedi, not even an ace pilot stood a chance.

Because, through the perception of the Force, a Jedi could anticipate danger before it arrived.

Moments later, the Z-10 Seeker-class ship flew through the flames of the final exploding bounty hunter ship, and cheers from the Fourth Civilization pilots erupted over the comms.

"Master, we did it! We shot down all the pirates!" Obi-Wan said, brimming with excitement. "Are we heading back to that massive ship?"

Qui-Gon Jinn smiled but said nothing, simply flipping the switch for the hyperdrive from the co-pilot's seat.

Obi-Wan understood and smiled back at him, engaging the hyperspace jump. The ship seemed to stretch into a streak of light and vanished into the cosmos in the blink of an eye.